Bong Go provides assistance to fire victims in Zamboanga City

As Senator Christopher "Bong" Go continues responding to the needs of distressed communities, his Malasakit Team helped fire victims in Barangays Recodo and Labuan in Zamboanga City on April 6 and 8, respectively.

Held at the covered courts of the barangays, a total of 75 affected families were assisted. They received financial assistance, grocery packs, masks, water containers, vitamins, snacks, shirts, and basketball and volleyball balls. There were also select recipients of bicycles and shoes.

"Magdasal po tayo at ipagdasal po natin 'yung mga mahal natin sa buhay. Mag ingat po tayo. Ang gamit naman po ay nabibili natin. Ang pera ay kikitain, magsipag lang tayo. Subalit 'yung perang kikitain natin ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. Ang nawalang buhay po'y wala na talaga. A lost life is a lost life forever," Go, who is dubbed as Mr. Malasakit, said in a video message during the distribution activity.

"Ang importante po magtulungan tayo. Sino pa ba ang magtutulungan kung 'di tayo rin lang po mga kapwa Pilipino. Kaya po nandirito kami ngayon para tulungan kayong lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya," he added.

The senator emphasized the current modernization program of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), as mandated by Republic Act No. 11589, which he principally authored and co-sponsored in 2021. The modernization program is designed to equip BFP with better firefighting equipment, advanced rescue tools, and specialized training to swiftly and efficiently handle various emergencies.

Go then encouraged residents seeking additional support, especially for health concerns, to visit the Malasakit Centers located at Zamboanga City Medical Center, Mindanao Central Sanitarium and General Hospital, and Labuan General Hospital, all in the city.

Institutionalized under RA 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored, these Malasakit Centers simplify access to government services for indigent patients, covering medical costs. Go's efforts have led to establishing 161 Malasakit Centers nationwide, assisting more than ten million Filipinos, as the Department of Health (DOH) reported.

As the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go also highlighted the critical role of Super Health Centers in alleviating hospital overcrowding, enabling early detection of diseases, and delivering essential healthcare services to communities, particularly in areas lacking sufficient medical facilities.

Through the concerted efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, the DOH, led by Secretary Teodoro "Ted" Herbosa, and local government units, adequate funding was allocated for establishing more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide. In Zamboanga City, three Super Health Centers were funded.

Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance supported the construction of a multipurpose building that will be turned into a sub-national laboratory capacity building for serology and molecular testing, the construction of a children's park, and a two-story building inside Camp Navarro General Hospital.

"Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo 'yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo 'yan kay Allah," underscored Go as he continues his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.