Senator Bong Go provided assistance to 563 recovering fire victims at Arena Blanco West Elementary School in Zamboanga City on Saturday, 7 October.

The fire victims received grocery packs, water containers, and snacks. Meanwhile, there were select recipients of bicycles, mobile phones, shoes, and balls for basketball and volleyball.

The National Housing Authority then assessed the beneficiaries who may qualify for necessary housing assistance to further help them rebuild their homes.

In a video message, Go expressed his confidence that the Bureau of Fire Protection can soon be transformed into a state-of-the-art institution that will effectively address fire-related concerns. The law, which Go principally authored and co-sponsored in the Senate, provides for a ten-year modernization program, which includes purchasing and upgrading fire equipment, recruiting more fire personnel, and providing specialized training, among others.

BFP, in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, is also conducting a fire safety awareness campaign across the country as part of the Fire Prevention Month celebration and also as mandated by the Act.

"Magdasal po tayo at ipagdasal po natin 'yung mga mahal natin sa buhay. Ang gamit po nabibili. Ang pera po ay kikitain rin po natin, magsipag lang tayo. Subalit 'yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. Ang nawalang buhay po ay wala na. A lost life is a lost life forever. Kaya pag-ingatan natin ang buhay na ibinigay sa atin ng Panginoon," Go said.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography also offered to help those with medical needs. He encouraged them to visit Zamboanga City Medical Center, Mindanao Central Sanitarium, and Labuan General Hospital in the city where there are Malasakit Centers available.

Go initiated the Malasakit Centers program after he personally witnessed the struggles of disadvantaged Filipinos in settling their hospital bills. He successfully pushed for the passage of Republic Act No. 11463, which he principally sponsored and authored in 2019.

Go also said that DOH has identified three areas in the city for the establishment of Super Health Centers nationwide. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 Super Health Centers in 2023. DOH, as the lead implementing agency, identifies strategic areas where these centers will be built.

Moreover, Go highlighted the recent passage of RA 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act which he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate. The said law mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals.

As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go remains committed to supporting various projects in the city, aligning with his vision to foster progress even in challenging times. These projects include the construction of a multipurpose building that will be turned into a sub-national laboratory capacity building for serology and molecular testing, the construction of a children's park, and a two-story building inside Camp Navarro General Hospital.