Bong Go aids Borongan fire victims

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go provided assistance to 22 fire-hit households in Barangay Calingatngan, Borongan City, Eastern Samar on Tuesday, 26 September.

In coordination with Calingatngan Barangay Captain Edwin Anasarias, the affected families received financial assistance, grocery packs, clean drinking water, snacks, and shirts from the senator. Select recipients also received shoes, mobile phones, and balls for basketball and volleyball.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry and the National Housing Authority conducted their respective assessments wherein qualified recipients may receive necessary livelihood support and housing assistance, respectively.

"Huwag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa, ang importante ay buhay kayo. Ang gamit po ay napapalitan, ang pera ay kikitain pero ang pera ay hindi nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Kaya pangalagaan natin ang buhay na binigay sa atin ng Panginoon," Go said in a video message.

Go then highlighted Republic Act No. 11589, also known as the Bureau of Fire (BFP) Protection Modernization Act of 2021. The said law, which was authored and co-sponsored by Go, mandates the BFP to undergo a ten-year modernization program that will improve the capabilities of the agency by implementing a ten-year modernization program, which includes recruiting more firefighters, acquiring new fire equipment, and developing specialized training, among others.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also encouraged residents with health concerns to seek the services of the Malasakit Center located at Eastern Samar Provincial Hospital in the city.

Designed to assist poor and indigent Filipinos, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where all relevant agencies are brought together under one roof to ensure that medical assistance programs are within the patients' reach. The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, principally sponsored and authored by Go, has successfully assisted more than three million Filipinos with 159 operational centers nationwide.

Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the construction of the access road from the National Highway to Bolusao National High School in Lawaan; rehabilitation of local roads in Balangkayan, Giporlos, Jipapad, Lawaan, Maslog, Quinapondan, San Julian, Sulat, and Taft; construction of the Borongan Community Hospital; construction of a slope protection structure in Borongan City and Lawaan; construction of multipurpose buildings in Jipapad, Maydolong, and Oras; construction of a slaughterhouse in Maydolong; improvement of the drainage systems in Can-Avid; and acquisition of ambulance units for the local governments of Maslog and Quinapondan.