Particular properties should be converted to permanent and strategic evacuation centers for calamity and fire victims so that work in barangay halls and classes in public schools used as temporary shelters are not disrupted, according to former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) and 2019 senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.

“Alam niyo, mahirap, katulad nito, nagagamit ‘yung gym. Minsan, ‘yung eskwelahan. Naantala ‘yung mga pag-aaral ng mga bata kasi nagagamit ‘yung mga classroom as evacuation center.

Ngayon, (mas OK po sana) kung mayroon tayong evacuation center na maayos, may CR, (para) kumportable hanggang makauwi sa kanilang pamamahay (‘yung mga evacuees). ‘Yun po ang aking priority, kung saka-sakali po (na palarin sa darating na eleksyon),” Go said in an interview during his visit to fire victims in Barangay Manresa in Quezon City on Sunday, 6 January.

On Saturday, a fire destroyed at least 100 houses in the village, left 300 families homeless, injured five people and caused property damage amounting to P1 million.

Displaced residents were evacuated to Barangay Manresa’s basketball court, multipurpose hall, and barangay hall.

According to Manresa Barangay Captain Arturo Tambis, the homeless victims badly need donations.

“Sa ngayon, mga pagkain muna, banig, tulugan, mga damit-damit diyan (ang kailangan ng mga nakaligtas sa sunog),” Tambis said.

On Sunday, Go and his supporters visited the barangay to deliver needed aid, listen to the residents’ concern and comfort fire victims.

Go’s group went in the area and immediately distributed clothes, shoes, grocery items, food packs, ready to eat meals, and cash assistance to the many affected families.

“Sabi ko nga po, kahit saang sulok ng Pilipinas, kung kaya ng aking kakayahan, pupuntahan ko kaagad kayo, (may dalang) kaunting tulong at assistance, pagkain at groceries pack,” Go stated.

Go told residents he will be contacting his former colleagues in the government to request additional assistance for the fire victims. “Papakiusapan ko po ‘yung mga kasamahan ko sa gobyerno tulad ng nasa NHA, DOH, DSWD, at PCSO.”

In addition, Go will be donating uniforms so that students and employees who were affected by the fire could immediately go back to school and their offices respectively.

“Ako naman, sabi ko nga sa mga estudyante, para makapag-aral na sila agad, bibilhan namin po sila ng uniporme bukas; pati namamasukan sa trabaho na nasunog ‘yung mga gamit, (bibilhan din),” Go told interviewers.

During the visit to Manresa, Go gave away his pair of basketball shoes to Reynaldo Ansino, a 27- year-old resident and survivor of Saturday’s fire.

“Di ko akalain na darating siya at (ibibigay) itong sapatos na ‘to. Salamat, Bong Go,” Ansino said as he held the pair of sneakers from Go.

Go said that even though he currently is a private citizen, he would still be helping those in need and serve as their voice in raising their concerns to the President.

“Kahit di na ako SAP, patuloy pa rin ang pagiging tulay ko ninyo sa Pangulo. Nandito pa rin ako at handang tumulong sa inyo. Wala po kaming iba pang hangarin ni Pangulong Duterte kung di makatulong sa inyong lahat,” he told the victims.

Aside from giving away food and other items, Bong Go reminded the residents of Barangay Manresa that a Malasakit Center will be opened on Monday, 7 January 2019, at the Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) in Diliman, Quezon City that they could go to if they need medical assistance.

“It’s a one-stop shop po, itong Malasakit Center. Mayroon na po tayong 18 Malasakit Centers all over the country. Nandiyan (sa iisang kuwarto) ang DOH, DSWD, PAGCOR, PCSO, at PHILHEALTH,” Go informed residents.

Go plans to put the Malasakit Center program into legislation so that each province and urban center can have its own Malasakit Center to cater to the medical needs of locals in that area.

Aside from plans regarding the Malasakit Center, Bong Go has a legislative agenda which covers issues pertaining to agriculture, housing, long-term sports development, anti-corruption drive, anti-illegal drugs, and criminality drive, localized peace talks, creation of a Department of OFWs, and senior citizens.

The year may not have started on a good note for residents of Barangay Manresa in Quezon City but Go assured them that he will be there to help and work to make things better for them.