MANILA, Philippines — Following his visit to fire victims in Cebu and Masbate, Senator-elect Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Monday rushed to 83 families affected by the fire incident in Valenzuela City, and to 111 families in Quezon City.
Go went to Tampoy, Marullas Villa Theresa, Valenzuela City and Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City where he showed his commitment to help the victims as he brought with him donations from private sector supporters. With him also were various government agencies that provided relief and recovery assistance.
“Kinausap ko po ang mga kasamahan natin sa gobyerno. Ang DSWD meron silang financial assistance na ibibigay sa inyo. Ang DOH, PAGCOR, PCSO ay pinakiusapan ko rin para maalagaan ang kalusugan ng mga biktima. Ambag-ambag po para sa inyo. Papakiusapan ko rin po ang NHA para makausap kayo kung sino ang gusto ng pabahay mula sa gobyerno. Pati po ang DTI (ay tutulong) para sa livelihood program para sa inyo,” he uttered.
Go dedicated himself to help fire victims even before the start of his senatorial campaign. The former Special Assistant to the President said that the Duterte administration remains committed in making sure that victims of disasters can rely on the government to help the families rebuild their lives.
Throughout his visits to families who became homeless due to catastrophic fire incidents, Go coordinated with the NHA to provide victims an opportunity to avail housing assistance, and to facilitate payment terms that would ease their financial burden and allow them to recover from the tragedy.
“Kakausapin natin NHA para ‘yung mga kwalipikadong makakuha ng housing assistance ay hindi muna pababayarin sa unang taon ng kanilang amortization. Ito ay para matulungan natin silang makabangon agad. Sa pangalawang taon na sila magbayad ulit,” he said.
The senator added that he will push for measures to address the problem of informal settlers and provide affordable houses for all, especially the poor and homeless.
“Kailangan din nating mas lalong pagbutihin ang ating mga programa para sa mga nangangailangan ng mura at disenteng bahay. We need a long term affordable housing program,” he said.
Go stressed that forms of housing intervention nationwide should be pursued so that each Filipino family will have a roof over their heads.
“Isa sa gusto kong isulong ang National Housing Production, Development and Financing Bill upang matugunan natin ang 6.5-milyong kakulangan sa pabahay. Wala na dapat squatter sa sariling bayan,” he said.
Go is also eyeing to review fire safety and prevention measures through a more intense fire prevention awareness drive, particularly within areas that are considered fire-prone.
“Isusulong ko rin po ang fire prevention measure para maturuan ang mga Pilipino para maiwasan itong mga ganitong pangyayari,” he said.
Go also proposed to give medical assistance to those who are in need. One of his top priorities is to improve medical services in the country through Malasakit Center.
“Nakafocus din po ako sa health. Isa po yan sa aking pangako na ma-improve ang medical services sa bansa. Gamitin ang pera ng tao sa tama,” he stated.
As his brainchild, 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 through joint coordination of agencies such as the DOH, DSWD, PCSO, and PhilHealth.
Go and private sector donors also provided school supplies and uniforms for the students affected by fire in order for them to go back to school as soon as possible. Financial assistance were also given to those who want to go back to their respective provinces.
By the end of his speech, Go eased the mood of the victims by offering a song and a message stating, “Minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito kung ano mang kabutihan o tulong na pwede natin gawin sa ating kapwa, gawin na natin ngayon.”