Daily Tribune
"Buong puso po ang aking pagdadalamhati at pakikiramay sa mga naiwang pamilya at mahal nila sa buhay. Bagama't hindi po matutumbasan ng anumang halaga ang buhay na nawala, lagi pong bukas ang aking opisina upang maghatid ng kinakailangang tulong sa naiwang pamilya ng ating mga nasawing rescuers," Go said in his co-sponsorship speech.
Sen. Bong Go has co-sponsored a Senate resolution honoring the heroism of the five members of the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office who died in service during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Karding.
The five rescuers—George Agustin, Troy Justin Agustin, Marby Bartolome, Jerson Resurrecion, and Narciso Calayag Jr.—died in San Miguel, Bulacan, after being swept away by a flash flood. Their remains were later found in Sitio Banga Banga, Barangay Camias in the town at around 7:00 a.m. on September 26.
"Mr. President, esteemed colleagues, it is an honor to co-sponsor the resolution honoring the heroism of the five rescuers who braved Super Typhoon Karding and died in an effort to bring aid to affected families in San Miguel, Bulacan," said Go in his co-sponsorship speech during the regular Senate session on Tuesday, 27 September.
"Nakakalungkot po na buhay ang naging kabayaran ng kanilang pagtupad sa tungkulin at pagnanais na makasagip ng buhay ng kanilang kapwa tao. Sila ay tunay na mga bayani," Go said.
The senator stated that he is considering introducing a measure that would provide benefits and security of tenure to long-term government employees.
"Kasalukuyan ko rin pong pinag-aaralan ang posibleng pagpa-file ng panukalang batas na magbibigay ng mga kaukulang benepisyo at security of tenure para sa mga matagal nang empleyado ng gobyerno," he said.
"All government personnel should be entitled to hazard pay, particularly those (doing) truly hazardous jobs," he added.
Go pointed out that despite having worked for the government for a very long period, many job order employees, including rescuers, still lack security of tenure.
"Marami sa mga Job Order (personnel) ang matagal nang empleyado ng gobyerno, kung minsan umaabot ng mahigit na sa limang taon pero wala pa rin silang security of tenure at walang benepisyo na tulad ng isang regular na empleyado ng gobyerno," noted Go.
"Unfair naman po sa kanila… Minsan, parehas lang po sila ng ginagawa ng isang regular na government employee, pero sila walang benepisyo dahil Job Order lang po sila," he added.
