Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, through his Malasakit Team, extended additional assistance to fire victims in Bacoor City, Cavite, on Wednesday, October 15, as part of his continuing efforts to help disaster-stricken Filipinos recover and rebuild their homes.
“Ang lagi ko pong sinasabi, ang gamit ay mabibili natin ‘yan, ang pera, kikitain niyo ‘yan kung magsumikap lang tayo. Pero ang perang kikitain ay hindi mabibili ang buhay,” said Go.
Held at Bacoor City Hall, the relief activity was conducted in coordination with Mayor Strike Revilla. Go’s Malasakit Team distributed food packs, snacks, vitamins, shirts, fans, basketballs, and volleyballs to 49 affected households whose homes were damaged by the fire.
The senator also acknowledged the efforts of the national government in conducting assessments to ensure that affected families may qualify for the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP), an initiative he supports to help families rebuild their homes after calamities.
“Sa ilalim ng programang ito na ating isinulong, mabibigyan ang mga benepisyaryo ng tulong para pambili ng materyales tulad ng mga pako at yero na pampatayo muli ng kanilang mga nasirang Bahay,” Senator Go explained.
Meanwhile, Go, Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also encouraged those with health issues to seek the services of Malasakit Centers.
Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office under one roof, significantly reducing the burden on patients who are already struggling with financial hardship.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. Currently, 167 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide. DOH reported that the Malasakit Center program has aided more than 17 million Filipinos. In Bacoor City, a Malasakit Center is located at Southern Tagalog Regional Hospital.
The senator also underscored the importance of proactive disaster preparedness and fire prevention. He underlined RA 12076, known as the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act. Signed on December 6, 2024, this law mandates the establishment of permanent, safe, and well-equipped evacuation centers across all cities and municipalities in the country. As the principal author and co-sponsor of the legislation, Senator Go emphasized how these centers will safeguard the dignity and well-being of disaster-affected communities while accelerating recovery efforts.
Additionally, he mentioned RA 11589, or the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Modernization Act, which he also principally authored and co-sponsored. This law provides for a ten-year modernization program that includes increasing personnel, acquiring modern firefighting equipment, and enhancing training to improve fire response and prevention capabilities.
“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon,” Go concluded.
