Former Special Adviser to the President (SAP) Bong Go is pushing for the creation of permanent and strategically-located evacuation centers so that government buildings such as schools will no longer be used to shelter those who will be displaced by calamities and disasters.
The former top Presidential adviser said the creation of permanent evacuation centers is needed so that government work and classes are not affected by disasters such as fires.
“Gusto kong magkaroon ng maayos at safe po na evacuation centers, hindi lang po (para) sa mga nasunugan (kung hindi para rin sa mga biktima ng kalamidad para di na maulit ‘yung mga pangyayari) tulad ng sa Benguet, sa Mt. Province (kung saang may evacuation center) na gumuho na (kasi) hindi (na) pala safe,” he explained.
“(Mas maganda kung may) sanitation, beddings, mattress; (tipong) comfortable evacuation center,” Go added.
“I will contact former colleagues in the government to request additional assistance for the fire survivors”.
Go made the pitch after visiting victims of a recent fire that struck Barangay Pinyahan in Quezon City last Jan. 17.
Go and his team went to the area to distribute clothes, shoes, grocery items, food packs, meals, and cash assistance to the affected families. The affected residents were very grateful for the care and support shown by the former palace official and his supporters.
“Konting tulong mula sa pribadong mga kaibigan na nagmamalasakit lang po sa nangangailangan,” Go said.
“Sa pagsisilbi po sa ating mga kapatid na Pilipino, magkakasama po tayo diyan,” he added.
The former top Presidential aide also confirmed that he will be contacting his former colleagues in the government to request additional assistance for the fire victims.
“Hihingi ako ng tulong sa ilang kaibigan at kakilala sa gobyerno tulad ng NHA kasi baka may mga iba diyan na interesadong lumipat ng bahay at magkaroon ng sariling titirhan. Pati mga kaibigan at kakilala natin sa DOH, DSWD, PAGCOR, kakausapin ko din,” Go told the residents.
In addition, Go said he will be donating uniforms to students and employees who were affected by the fire so that they could immediately go back to school as well as go back to work.
“Aasikasuhin ko na mabilhan ng uniforms ‘yung mga estudyante at empleyado dito para makabalik (na sila) sa kanilang pag-aaral at mga nagtatrabaho (para makapasok na uli sila) sa opisina,” Go said.
“At ‘yung damit para sa mga batang sanggol, (aayusin din natin ‘yan),” he added.
Go also noted that Filipinos should be made more aware of fire safety measures to reduce the incidents of fire across the country.
“Filipinos should be made more aware of fire safety measures to reduce incidents of fire across the country.”
“Napakahirap masunugan. Kailangan po (talagang) maturuan sila ng fire safety measures,” Go said.
The Quezon City Fire Department reported that the Barangay Pinyahan fire started at around 12:20 p.m. and was extinguished by 1:16 p.m. after reaching the 2nd alarm.
Because of the fire, the affected residents were forced to evacuate to the barangay’s basketball court and barangay hall.
Meanwhile, Go also told residents that they can also get quick medical assistance at the nearest Malasakit Center.
The Malasakit Center is a brainchild of Go and President Rodrigo Duterte. It is a one-stop shop program where satellite offices of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, PhilHealth, and other relevant government agencies are housed together in one location for the convenience of patients in need of speedy medical and financial assistance.
At present there are 20 Malasakit Centers operating in various parts of the Philippines, with the one nearest to Barangay Pinyahan located at the Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) in Diliman, Quezon City.
Go, who is seeking a Senate seat in the May midterm polls, said he intends to craft a law that will mandate the creation of Malasakit Centers in provinces and urban centers across the country.
Should he secure a Senate seat, Go added that he intends to sponsor bills that would address pressing issues on agriculture, housing, improved health service delivery, education, long-term sports development, localized peace talks, anti-drug and crime drive, anti-corruption drive, barangay welfare, the creation of a department for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as well as for senior citizens.
He ended his visit to Barangay Pinyahan with a message from President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Pinapaabot ni Pangulong Duterte ang kanyang pagkumusta sa inyo. Kung kailangan niyo ng pangpagamot, kung may kailangan po kayo sa kanya, sabihin niyo lang. Ako po ang patuloy ninyong magiging tulay kay Pangulong Duterte kasi mahal namin ang kapwa Pilipino,” he said, quoting the President.
