Bong Go provides aid to fire victims

SEN. Christopher “Bong” Go and his Malasakit Team coordinated with Councilor Elgin Damasco to extend help to families affected by fire incidents in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

“I know it’s hard to be a fire victim, but do not lose hope. Remember that belongings can be bought. Money can be earned, we only need to work hard. However, the money we earn cannot buy life. A lost life is a lost life forever. We have to be careful always,” said Go in a video message.

The distribution activity was held at the Mendoza Park Amphitheater in Puerto Princesa City, where 750 affected families received grocery packs, water containers, snacks, and shirts. There were also select recipients of bicycles and shoes.

Go primarily authored and co-sponsored Republic Act (RA) 11589 or the “Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Modernization Act.” The law requires the BFP to undertake and implement a 10-year modernization plan.

The modernization program includes the acquisition of contemporary fire-fighting equipment, the hiring of more firefighters and the offering of specialized training, among others.

Go also extended support to those needing medical assistance.

As the Senate Committee on Health and Demography chairman, Go encouraged them to take advantage of the medical assistance programs available in the Malasakit Center located at Ospital ng Palawan in Puerto Princesa City, Culion Sanitarium Hospital in Culion and Southern Palawan Provincial Hospital in Brooke’s Point.

Under RA 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate, Department of Health (DoH)-run hospitals and other qualified public hospitals can have their own Malasakit Centers to provide faster and more convenient access to medical assistance, particularly for poor and indigent patients.

There are now 159 operational centers since the program was initiated in 2018.