Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged communities to be extra careful and vigilant by strengthening their fire safety efforts following the enactment of the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021, which he principally authored and co-sponsored in the Senate, last September.
The law mandates the BFP to implement a modernization program which will be geared towards improving its firefighting and rescue capabilities and include the acquisition of new fire equipment, development of specialized training programs, and hiring of more firefighters, among others.
He pledged his steadfast support for the people of Agusan del Norte, having previously assisted hundreds of victims of Typhoon Auring in the same city, Cabadbaran City and Tubay from May 27 to 28.
“Saksi ako sa hinagpis na nararamdaman ng mga biktima ng sunog. Kada buwan, ilang komunidad ang ating binibisita upang makapagbigay ng tulong. Obligasyon ng gobyerno na maging handa sa oras ng sakuna kaya nag-file ako ng batas para mabigyan ng karagdagang kagamitan at personnel ang ating Bureau of Fire Protection,” explained Go.
In line with his commitment to helping recent fire victims, the senator’s staff provided meals, financial assistance, food packs, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 37 fire victims at the Barangay Ampayon covered court in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte on Thursday, October 28. They also gave a bicycle, an alternative mode of transportation, to a selected resident.
Moreover, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development handed out hygiene, kitchen and sleeping kits and separate financial assistance under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.
The Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and National Housing Authority also carried out assessments of potential beneficiaries for their respective assistance programs.
In his message, Go offered further support to residents needing medical care. He advised them to seek the services of the Malasakit Center at the Butuan Medical Center in the city where they may conveniently avail of further medical assistance from the government.
The Malasakit Center aims to make all existing government medical assistance programs more accessible by putting the concerned agencies under one roof, including the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Its primary task is to reduce a hospital bill to the lowest amount possible by covering patient services and expenses, pursuant to the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go also principally authored and sponsored in the Senate.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported many initiatives to improve access to services and other socio-economic opportunities in the province.
”Sa mga pasyente dito, kung may bill kayo, ilapit niyo lang ito sa Malasakit Center at tutulungan kayo nito makahingi ng tulong sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno. Hindi niyo na kailangang bumiyahe para pumila sa iba’t ibang opisina. Wala itong pinipili. Basta poor at indigent patient ka, qualified ka,” said Go.
The senator went on to recognize Mayor Ronnie Lagnada, Vice Mayor Jose Aquino II, Ampayon Acting Punong Barangay Danilo Maisog, and other local officials for the assistance and support they extended to the victims.
He pledged his steadfast support for the people of Agusan del Norte, having previously assisted hundreds of victims of Typhoon Auring in the same city, Cabadbaran City and Tubay from May 27 to 28.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported many initiatives to improve access to services and other socio-economic opportunities in the province.
He supported the construction of a road connecting the NRJ Masao Port Road to the NRJ Butuan City-Agusan del Norte Logistical Highway, NRJ Butuan City-Malaybalay Road to the NRJ Buenavista-Bunaguit Road, NRJ Malaybalay Road to the NRJ Butuan City-Cagayan de Oro-Iligan City Road, Levee Road to the Mayor Democrito-Las Nieves-Sibagat Road, and NRJ BCIR-Jct Logistical Highways; and the concreting of the Tagabaca farm-to-market road in Butuan City.
Other initiatives include the construction of the Las Nieves Bridge and road approaches, Concepcion Bridge in Brgy. Concepcion and a revetment along the Cabadbaran River in Brgy. Poblacion 9 in Cabadbaran City.
All activities were held in batches and strict adherence with other health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.