In Sara, Iloilo, on Friday, May 22, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go reinforced his call for stronger fire safety measures as his team extended assistance to beneficiaries affected by a recent fire incident.
Go said, “Huwag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Magtulungan lang po tayo, sino ba naman ang magtutulungan kundi tayong kapwa Pilipino. Siguraduhin lang po natin na nag-iingat po tayo.”
Go principally authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11589, or the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Modernization Act of 2021. The law mandates a ten-year modernization plan that includes enhanced training, better equipment, additional firefighters, and nationwide fire prevention campaigns in coordination with local government units (LGUs).
He also emphasized the importance of RA 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, a measure he principally authored and co-sponsored, which requires the establishment of permanent, disaster-resilient evacuation centers in every city and municipality. He stressed that preparedness requires permanent structures designed to withstand disasters and equipped with basic health, sanitation, and safety amenities.
The distribution in Sara, Iloilo benefited 28 fire victims who received financial assistance, grocery packs, water gallons, snacks, shirts, and balls. The activity was in coordination with Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., Vice Governor Lee Ann Debuque, Mayor Jon Aying, Board Member Esara Javier, and Brgy. Captain Noynoy Chavez.
Linking disaster preparedness with health protection, Senator Go also highlighted the role of Malasakit Centers in ensuring that victims of fires and other emergencies can easily access medical assistance without additional financial burden. He is the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463, also known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized Malasakit Centers nationwide.
Malasakit Centers serve as one-stop shops that help indigent patients reduce hospital expenses to the lowest possible amount, a critical support system during disasters when injuries and health emergencies often arise.
According to a Department of Health (DOH) report, 167 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, including those located at the Western Visayas Medical Center, West Visayas State University Medical Center, West Visayas Sanitarium in Santa Barbara, and Don Jose Monfort Medical Center in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.
“Patuloy po akong magseserbisyo para sa inyo dahil naniniwala ako na ang kahandaan at malasakit ay susi sa pagliligtas ng buhay at sa mas mabilis na pagbangon ng bawat komunidad,” he concluded.
