SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, through his Malasakit Team, extended immediate support to fire victims in Barangay Dumoy, Toril, Davao City on Thursday, Jan. 30.
In a video message, Go reminded the victims of the importance of prioritizing and valuing life more than other material things, saying “Sa mga apektadong pamilya, huwag ho kayong mag-alala. Sabi ko nga sa inyo noon, ang gamit ay nabibili, ang pera ay kikitain, subalit ‘yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Pangalagaan at ingatan po natin ang buhay at kalusugan ng bawat isa.”
As the principal author and co-sponsor of the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act, the senator also advocates for enhanced firefighting capabilities. The law aims to strengthen the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) by modernizing its equipment, hiring more personnel, and offering specialized training programs to ensure prompt and efficient responses to fire emergencies.
Recognizing the burden that the victims faced, Senator Go’s Malasakit team then facilitated the aid distribution held at the Farland Extension Court in Brgy. Dumoy where they gave financial assistance, food packs, water containers, snacks, vitamins, shirts, basketballs, and volleyballs to 12 beneficiaries. Select recipients also received shoes.
The relief distribution was also attended by Barangay Kagawad Jingo Adlawan.
Go, chairperson of the committee on health and demography and a health reforms crusader, extended additional support to residents in need of medical care. He encouraged them to utilize the services of the Malasakit Center in the city, located at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).
First established in 2018, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop designed to streamline medical assistance programs from various government agencies, ensuring that Filipinos can access medical assistance to overcome the financial burden of healthcare costs.
Through Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored, qualified public hospitals now feature Malasakit Centers. Currently, 166 Malasakit Centers have been established, benefiting over 15 million Filipinos, as per Department of Health reports.
