Senator Bong Go sent his team to Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte recently to provide relief to fire-hit households.
In his video message, Go reassured the affected families that the Bureau of Fire Protection is undergoing a modernization program to improve its capability to respond to fire incidents.
BFP Modernization Act, which the legislator principally authored and co-sponsored, provides for the acquisition of new fire equipment, hiring of additional personnel, and provision of specialized training for firefighters, among others.
The law also directs the BFP to conduct monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drives in every local government unit, in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
As chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, the lawmaker urged everyone to remain vigilant against COVID-19 especially this holiday season.
The senator also encouraged those eligible to get vaccinated and boosted.
“Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa normal na pamumuhay.”
“Nakikiusap po ako sa inyo, magpabakuna na po kayo. Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa normal na pamumuhay. Ang bakuna po ang susi, wala na pong iba. Kung qualified na po kayo sa booster, magpa-booster na po kayo,” he stressed.
Go’s outreach team mounted the relief activity at Barangay Tamuntaka Hall where they handed out grocery packs, vitamins, masks, shirts, snacks, cellular phones, umbrellas, slippers, hats, and balls for basketball and volleyball to the two affected families.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development also extended separate financial assistance.
“Huwag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Ang gamit po ay nabibili ‘yan, pera po ay kikitain, subalit ang pera pong kikitain ay hindi nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever kaya pangalagaan po natin ang buhay ng bawat isa,” he reminded.
“Ngayong Pasko, ipagdiwang natin ito ng masaya at ligtas.”
“Ngayong Pasko, ipagdiwang natin ito ng masaya at ligtas. Mahirap man po ang ating pinagdaraanan ngayon, nasa gitna pa tayo ng pandemya at nasunugan pa kayo, ang mahalaga po ay buhay tayo. Magtulungan lang po tayo para maipagdiwang nating lahat nang may ngiti ang Kapaskuhan,” Go added.
He also advised those who have health concerns to take advantage of the services offered in the Malasakit Center at the Cotabato Sanitarium in Sultan Kudarat town, and Cotabato Regional and Medical Center in Cotabato City or in any of the other 151 Malasakit Centers nationwide.
Primarily authored and sponsored by Go, the Malasakit Centers Act provides for the establishment of one-stop shops where poor and indigent patients may conveniently avail medical assistance from agencies, such as the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported several projects in the province, including the construction of public markets in Buldon and Matanog; and the construction of a multipurpose building in Matanog.
His office has also provided similar assistance to struggling residents in Sultan Kudarat from November 22 to 24.
The senator himself previously visited Maguindanao del Norte last November 5 and personally provided aid to some of its typhoon victims.
“Mga kababayan ko diyan sa Datu Odin Sinsuat, nandito lang po ako para makapag serbisyo sa inyong lahat sa abot nang aking makakaya. Nandito lang po ang inyong Kuya Bong Go na handa pong tumulong sa inyo,” Go reaffirmed.
