CEBU, Philippines — Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally visited Mandaue City, Cebu to extend assistance last week to families affected by a recent fire incident.
The senator checked on the condition of the affected residents, listened to their concerns, and reiterated his ongoing commitment to help communities rise from crisis situations with dignity and hope.
Go emphasized the urgency of helping families rebuild their lives and ensuring that no Filipino is left behind in the wake of such emergencies.
“‘Wag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Ang gamit po, napapalitan, pero ang buhay ay hindi. A lost life is a lost life forever. Magtulungan lang po tayo, sino ba naman ang magtutulungan kundi tayo kapwa Pilipino. Magseserbisyo ako sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya,” he added, underscoring the importance of bayanihan spirit in times of adversity.
Held at the Barangay Labogon gymnasium, Go and his Malasakit Team immersed themselves in the area, engaging with the affected families and personally distributing aid to 68 households. Each beneficiary received financial assistance, grocery packs, water containers, shirts, caps, basketballs or volleyballs, and other relief items. Select beneficiaries also received bicycle and shoes.
The senator also acknowledged the cooperation of barangay officials in facilitating the activity. “Isa lang po ang pakiusap ko sa mga barangay officials: ‘Wag pabayaan ang mga kababayan nating mahihirap,” he reminded. “Bukas dapat palagi ang inyong tanggapan tuwing may nangangailangan.”
He expressed his gratitude to the local leaders who supported the relief operations and continue to assist fire-affected families in their recovery. Among those present were Labogon Barangay Captain Helbert Nejana, Mandaue Mayor Glenn Barceda, and Councilor Oscar Del Castillo.
As principal author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 11589 or the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Modernization Act of 2021, Go reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the capabilities of fire personnel.
The law provides for the modernization of the BFP through upgraded equipment, additional manpower, and enhanced training programs to ensure faster and more effective emergency response.
He likewise emphasized the relevance of Republic Act No. 12076 or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which he also principally authored and co-sponsored. The law mandates the establishment of permanent, disaster-resilient evacuation centers in every city and municipality across the country, giving affected families safer shelter during emergencies.
In addition, Go reiterated his push for the passage of Senate Bill No. 192, which seeks to institutionalize a Rental Housing Subsidy Program. The measure, if passed into law, aims to provide temporary housing assistance to families displaced by fire or other calamities while they transition to more permanent living arrangements.
A known health reforms crusader and chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go also extended support to those needing medical care. He encouraged residents to visit the Malasakit Center in Mandaue City, located at the Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital.
He also reminded Cebuanos that Malasakit Centers are accessible across the province, including those at Cebu South Medical Center in Talisay City; Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital; Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City; and three hospitals in Cebu City—Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital, and Cebu City Medical Center.
Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops aiming to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
As of now, 167 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The Department of Health (DOH) reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than 17 million Filipinos.
In support of the city's development, Go, as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, earlier backed several key infrastructure and healthcare initiatives. He supported the construction of a four-storey government communications office in Barangay Subangdaku and a seven-storey main hospital building for Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital, among others.
“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, who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need. — (FREEMAN)