Following his visit fire victims in Lucena, Quezon, Senator-elect Bong Go rushed to visit the 23 families who were left homeless after a fire broke out recently at Phase 1, Ilugin St., Brgy. Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City.
As visiting the victims, Go shared that one of his top priorities is to provide housing assistance to fire victims wherein the National Housing Authority (NHA) will not collect amortization for one year to allow them to recover from the tragedy.
“Kakausapin natin ang NHA para yung mga kwalipikadong makakuha ng housing assistance ay hindi muna pababayarin sa unang taon ng kanilang amortization. Ito ay para matulungan natin silang makabangon agad,” the former presidential aide said in his speech during the visit.
The former Palace official said he will also push for measures to address problems of informal settlers and to provide affordable houses for all, especially the poor and homeless.
“I will push for measures to address problems of informal settlers.”
“Isa sa bawat limang katao sa Kamaynilaan ay informal settler. Kailangan nating mas lalong pagbutihin ang ating mga programa para sa mga nangangailangan ng mura at disenteng bahay. We need a long-term affordable housing program,” he said.
Go stressed that every family deserves a decent home.
“Isa sa gusto kong isulong ang magkaroon ng long-term housing roadmap o plano upang matugunan ang 6.5-milyong kakulangan sa pabahay. Wala na dapat squatter sa sariling bayan,” he said.
Go immediately went to Pasig as he provided the same assistance coming from private sectors and government agencies.
“Pinakusapan ko ‘yung mga kasamahan natin sa pribado at gobyerno, ang NHA, TESDA, DTI, PCUP, DOH, DSWD, PAGCOR, at PCSO na magbigay ng tulong at solusyon sa inyong mga pangangailangan,” Go said.
He also emphasized that this kind of incident is a reminder of the importance of having an intensified fire prevention campaign.
“Kadalasan sa mga informal settlers natin ay walang sapat na kaalaman sa fire prevention and protection,” Go said.
One of his top priorities in the Senate is the improvement of fire safety measures across the country.
“Fire drills should be conducted in communities.”
According to Go, holding of fire drills and seminars on fire safety and prevention measures are only required in schools, government buildings and selected establishments. They are not required to be conducted in communities.
He called on every local government unit to take responsibility in conducting an intensive fire prevention campaign.
Moreover, Go also committed that government will provide medical assistance to those who are in need through the Malasakit Center.
Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that will hasten the delivery of medical services and gives patients convenient access to free medicines and financial assistance from different government agencies such as PhilHealth, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. There are already 34 Malasakit Centers in the country.
When asked what he thinks of the recent alleged ramming of a Philippine fishing boat by a Chinese vessel at the Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea, Go said “Ako po ay Pilipino, mahal ko ang mga Pilipino, at ipaglalaban ko po ang mga Pilipino. Handa po kaming tumulong. Huwag kayo mag-atubili na humingi ng tulong sa akin at sa gobyernong palaging handang tumulong at magmamalasakit sa inyo.”
Go also emphasized that he learned from President Rodrigo Duterte when it comes to fighting for the welfare of the Filipino people.
“Alam niyo kilala ko si Pangulong Duterte. Kapakanan po ng bawat Pilipino ang lagi niyang inuuna. Kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino ang lagi niyang pinaglalaban. Huwag po kayo mag-alala dahil kapag natapos ang imbestigasyon, mananagot po ang dapat managot kung sino man po ang may kasalanan,” he said.
Other priorities under Go’s legislative agenda include programs for agriculture, education, long-term sports development, localized peace talks, barangay welfare, and improved benefits for senior citizens.