Senator-elect Bong Go visits QC fire victims. CONTRIBUTED PHOT
MANILA, Philippines–Following the fire that hit a residential area in Barangay Paltok, Quezon City, Senator-elect Christopher “Bong” Go rushed on Thursday to the area to personally provide assistance to the 150 families affected by the incident.
This development came after a fire broke out on June 4 that destroyed several houses at 17 Ilagan St. in Barangay Paltok.
READ: LOOK: Fire hits residential area in Quezon City
Among others, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and even private entities were in attendance to provide relief assistance to the victims.
“Pinakiusapan ko po ang DSWD, DOH na tumulong sa inyo. Ako naman may mga kaibigan po ako sa pribado, iba po ‘yung dala nilang tulong na pinansyal at saka grocery packs. Pinakiusapan ko rin po ‘yung Pagcor at PCSO na tumulong. Papakiusapan ko rin po ang DTI para sa mga gustong maka-avail ng livelihood,” Go stated.
The National Housing Authority (NHA) was also present to deliver housing assistance to the victims.
“At ang pinakaimportante sa lahat, ‘yung NHA. Isa po to sa aking priority, itong murang pabahay. So, pupunta po rito ang NHA para mag-interview po sa inyo kung sino po ang pwedeng maka-avail ng murang pabahay para sa inyo,” he added.
Go also proposed aid to those who want to go back to their respective provinces. He committed to provide school supplies and uniforms for students affected so they can go back to studying.
He also offered health assistance to those who are in need of medical attention through the Malasakit Center.
“Meron po tayong Malasakit Center. Sa mga senior citizens, ‘yung mga gustong magpagamot kami na po ang bahala. Tutulungan po namin kayo,” he said.
Through the idea of Go, the Malasakit Center is a continuing program of the administration seeking to make it easier and faster for indigent patients to avail medical and financial assistance from the government by bringing together in one room all concerned agencies such as the DOH, DSWD, PCSO, and PhilHealth.
Go believes that it is important for a public servant to personally listen to the concerns of people to determine the real situation in the grass roots level and to find out their immediate needs that must be addressed.
“Gaya po ng sabi ni Kapitan, hindi pa po ako nakaupo. Pero pangako ko po, saan man sulok ng Pilipinas, kung kaya po ng aking katawan pupuntahan ko po kayo. Mahalagang makahalubilo mo ang mga kababayan natin para malaman natin ang kanilang hinaing,” he uttered.
In his speech, Go also acknowledged the barangay officials of barangay Paltok for assisting the victims. He also vowed to work on the possibility of the postponement of barangay elections scheduled this 2020 to give brgy. officials more time to further implement their ongoing programs and projects.
“Paano nila magagawa ang kanilang programa sa barangay kung last year election, next year election na naman. Kaya isusulong ko po na ma-extend pa ng dalawang taon ang termino niyo. Pero sa isang kondisyon, huwag niyo pababayaan ang mga tao,” Go said.
On the other hand, Go also joined TODA drivers and operators in a boodle fight after visiting the fire victims. He ate home-cooked food with them, traded stories, and expressed admiration in earning a decent living legally and drug-free, stating, “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.” (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)