Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s office extended assistance to the family of a fire casualty in Barangay Amerang, Cabatuan, Iloilo, on Thursday, July 9, as the senator continued to call for stronger fire protection, safer evacuation facilities, and more responsive support for communities affected by emergencies.
The incident claimed the life of 86-year-old Salvacion Aguero Larios, who was reportedly bedridden.
Through Go’s team, the bereaved family received assistance similar to the regular support extended by the senator’s office to fire-affected families, including financial assistance, a water container, grocery packs, vitamins, snack, a pen, and a ball.
“Importante po sa akin ang buhay at kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Ang gamit ay mabibili pa, pero ang buhay ay hindi na maibabalik. Kaya sa panahon ng sakuna, ang una nating pinapahalagahan ay ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan,” Go said in a message.
“Sa mga nasunugan, huwag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Magtulungan po tayo para makabangon muli. Sa abot ng aking makakaya, patuloy po akong tutulong sa mga Pilipinong nangangailangan,” he said.
Beyond immediate assistance, Go has pushed for measures aimed at improving the country’s fire prevention and disaster response systems. He principally authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11589, or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021, which seeks to strengthen the BFP through modern equipment, additional personnel, specialized training, and improved fire response capacity.
He also principally authored and co-sponsored RA 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of permanent, disaster-resilient evacuation centers in cities and municipalities nationwide.
The law seeks to provide safer and more dignified temporary shelters for families displaced by calamities while helping ensure access to basic needs, including sanitation and healthcare, during emergencies.
Go has also filed Senate Bill No. 173, or the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience Act, which seeks to establish a more focused agency for disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation.
He likewise filed SBN 415, or the proposed Rental Housing Subsidy Act, which aims to provide rental support to informal settler families and victims of disasters, and SBN 669, or the proposed Hazard Pay for Disaster Personnel Act, which seeks to grant hazard pay to personnel engaged in disaster response.
Go said assistance for fire victims must continue to reach affected communities directly while long-term measures are pursued to reduce risks and improve emergency response.
“Kailangan nating palakasin ang paghahanda sa sakuna. Dapat may maayos na evacuation centers, sapat na kagamitan ang ating firefighters, at mabilis na tulong para sa mga pamilyang naapektuhan,” Go said.
He reiterated that he will continue supporting communities in need, especially families recovering from fires and other disasters.
“Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo, at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” Go said.
