Bong Go comforts fire victims on Saturday, 23 February 2019. (Contributed photo)

Former Special Assistant to the President and 2019 senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Saturday visited fire victims in Parañaque City to listen to their concerns and cheer them up as he also called attention to their plight and appealed for assistance from the private sector.

Around 70 houses on the border of Barangay Manuyo Dos, Las Piñas City and Barangay San Isidro in Parañaque City were razed in a fire that started at past 1 p.m. Friday.

Addressing the fire victims, Go clarified he did not visit them to campaign for his senatorial bid. He said he is just making good on his promise and advocacy to help fire victims.

“Hindi po ako nandito para mangampanya. Nandito po ako para makinig at makahanap ng paraan para makatulong sa inyo,” Go said.

“Noon pa, hindi pa ako kandidato, wala (pa) akong planong tumakbo ipinangako ko ‘yan. Ang pangako ko sa mga kapatid kong Pilipino, papasukin ko kayo kahit saang sulok kayo ng Pilipinas, eskinita man, basta makaserbisyo ako sa kapwa,” he noted.

As he usually does, Go cracked jokes about his constant companion and friend, actor Philip Salvador— particularly on the colorful love life of the latter—-eliciting laughter from the fire victims. This, according to Go, is in itself a rewarding experience.

“Mapangiti man lang natin sila sa panahon ng kanilang pagdadalamhati ay masarap sa pakiramdam,” he explained. Besides, Go said that by visiting fire victims he would be able to find out what are their immediate needs and how he can improve the country’s fire safety standards through legislation.

Go appealed to the local government officials, concerned agencies, as well as generous private individuals to extend assistance to the victims.

“Umaapela po ako sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno, katulad ng National Housing Authority, DOH, DWSD at PAGCOR, nakikiusap po ako sa kanila na tulungan natin ang ating mga kababayan,” Go said, adding that there are already private individuals who have signified their willingness to help the victims.

Go also appealed to his critics to also pitch in and help the fire victims, instead of trying to find fault with his effort to assist the unfortunate.

“Sa mga bumabatikos, bakit hindi na lang po kayo tumulong? Nakakatulong ba yung pagbatikos ninyo? Nakakatulong ba tayo sa naging biktima?” Go said.

Go said that if he has to make a choice, he would rather visit the victims rather than attend to his campaign schedule.

“Mas importante po sa akin ang magserbisyo at tumulong sa aking kapwa Pilipino, higit pa sa mangampanya,” Go said.

He said that one thing he learned from President Rodrigo Duterte is to keep one’s word.

“Yun lang po ang pinangangalagaan namin ni Pangulong Duterte, isang salita po namin. ‘Pag sinabi namin ginagawa namin,” he said.

Go said that if any of the fire victims need medical treatment, they can seek assistance from the nearest Malasakit Center, a one-stop shop bringing together in one room all concerned government agencies such as the DOH, DSWD, PCSO, and Philhealth, making it easier and faster for poor patients to avail of medical and financial assistance from the government.

If elected to the Senate, Go said he would push for a law for the establishment of a Malasakit Center in more provinces and key urban centers of the country.

Go’s legislative agenda also include programs for agriculture, education, anti-illegal drugs, housing, anti-corruption, long-term sports development, fire protection and prevention, localized peace talks, creation of a Department of OFW, barangay welfare and improved benefits for senior citizens.

TAGS Bong Go with fire victims from Paranaque and Las Pinas cities