Bong Go visits Laguna fire victims, vows to push for better fire prevention measures

Senator-elect Bong Go. (Contributed photo)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator-elect Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go continues to assist fire victims this time visiting the 285 affected families of a fire incident at Olivarez Compound, Olivarez Homes South, Barangay Santo Tomas, Biñan, Laguna on Wednesday.

With a total of 170 houses destroyed by the fire, the victims are now staying at the Olivarez South Covered Court which serves as their evacuation center.

Go expressed his willingness to help as he assisted in coordinating with various agencies such as the National Housing Authority, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and even private entities who share the same advocacy as his to extend help.

He also offered assistance to the fire victims who want to return to their respective provinces, and medical assistance to those who are in need.

“Sa mga gustong magpagamot lalong lalo na po ‘yung mga kailangan ng magpa-opera, kung wala po rito sa ospital ng Laguna, pwede ko po i-arrange, samahan ko kayo sa Maynila, yung mga may sakit sa puso, sa kidney o anuman ang kailangan niyo na espesyalista na wala pa rito sa Laguna, sasamahan ko po kayo sa Maynila para magpagamot.”

Among others, Go is pushing for a law that would enable the establishment of a Malasakit Center in more provinces and strategic urban centers in the country and allow as well for the continuation of the program even after the term of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Based on Go’s idea, the Malasakit Center is a continuing program of the administration seeking to make it easier and faster for indigent patients to avail of medical and financial assistance from the government by bringing together in one room all concerned agencies such as the Department of Health, DSWD, PCSO, and Philhealth.

“Priority ko po ang health. Napakadami nating kababayang nangangailangan ng mabilisang tulong pangmedikal, mahirap magkasakit. Tignan ninyo po ‘yung kalagayan nila sa hospital, nakahilera po sa labas,” Go said.

Go has vowed to help fire victims anywhere in the country, and true to his promise, Go took the time to visit and help fire victims during several fire incidents, even before the campaign season.

He noted that he wants to personally listen to the concerns of the fire victims to determine the real situation on the ground and to find out their immediate needs that must be addressed.

“Gaya ng pangako ko noon, kahit saan sulok ng Pilipinas, basta kaya po ng aking panahon at katawan ay aking papasukin, kahit saang eskenita, ang inyong lugar ay pupuntahan ko, pangako ko ‘yan sa taong bayan.”

One of the top priorities of Go is to promote fire prevention and protection. He aims to review fire safety and prevention measures through more intense fire prevention awareness drive, particularly in informal settlements where fire incidents take place more often.

He is also eyeing to establish more safe, permanent and dedicated evacuation centers with sufficient emergency packs and supplies in various parts of the country.

“Itong fire prevention and safety measures kailangan po itong tutukan upang maiwasan ang mga ganitong nasusunugan at upang magkaroon nang maayos na evacuation center. Para habang nag-iintay po silang makabalik sa kanilang bahay, mayroong komportable, malinis na paglalagyan sa kanila,” Go stated.

He also assured the Filipino people that he will not limit himself to legislative related work, but will also continue with his people-centered and service-oriented advocacies.

“I will not limit myself to being just a legislator. Ang trabaho ng senador hindi lang sa Senate hall. This is a public office and I dedicate myself to public service,” he said.

“Gusto ko aksyon na ora mismo kaagad at pupuntahan ko kayo kung nasaan man kayo para marinig ang inyong hinaing at mabigyan ng serbisyo ang bawat Pilipino,” he added.

Apart from providing help to the fire victims, Go also joined tricycle drivers and operators in a boodle fight. He ate home-cooked food with them, traded stories, and expressed solidarity with them in trying to earn a decent living legally and drug-free.

“Magtulungan po tayo para mapaganda ang ating bansa. Labanan po natin ang iligal na droga, korapsyon at kriminalidad. Kahit nasa Senado na po ako, patuloy nating tulungan si Pangulong Duterte. Wala po tayong ibang hangarin kundi ang kabutihan ng kapwa nating Pilipino,” he said. (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)