Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, in coordination with Macabalan Barangay Captain Norbel Saa, provided assistance to 37 recovering fire victims at Barangay Macabalan Hall in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental on Monday, October 9.

The affected families received financial assistance, grocery packs, water containers, shirts, face masks, vitamins, snacks, and balls for basketball and volleyball.

"Mga kababayan, gusto kong pasalamatan ang mga kasamahan ko sa gobyerno. Mayroon lang akong sasabihin sa inyo. Palagi kasi akong nakakarinig ng pagpapasalamat. 'Salamat dating presidente Rodrigo Duterte, salamat Senador Bong Go sa mga programa na nakakatulong sa mga mahihirap,'" cited Go in his video message.

"Huwag kayong magpasalamat sa amin. Sa totoo lang kami ang dapat na magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan n'yo kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyo. Maraming salamat sa inyo. Ako naman ay sanay sa trabaho, tutulong ako sa abot ng aking makakaya," he continued.

Meanwhile, Go said the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is embarking on a modernization effort designed to enhance its ability to effectively respond to fire incidents, emergencies and disasters.

Republic Act No. 11589, which Go primarily authored and co-sponsored, mandates the BFP to implement a ten-year modernization program. This includes the acquisition of modern firefighting equipment, augmentation of personnel, and provision of specialized training for firefighters, among other improvements.

"Modernizing the Bureau of Fire Protection is crucial for improving its ability to respond to emergencies and disasters. It is important that the government invest in the modernization of the BFP to ensure the safety and well-being of the Filipinos," cited Go.

"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," he added.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, encouraged those with medical concerns to visit nearby Malasakit Centers located at Northern Mindanao Medical Center and J.R. Borja General Hospital in the city.

"Meron na tayong 159 Malasakit Centers sa buong bansa. Ang Malasakit Center ay one-stop shop na kung saan ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno ay nasa loob ng ospital," explained Go.

Signed into law in 2019, the Malasakit Centers Act, which was principally authored and sponsored by Go, institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program to ensure that indigent patients have convenient access to medical assistance programs offered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Meanwhile, Go reiterated his commitment to support the establishment of more Super Health Centers across the country, considering how they can significantly help reduce hospital occupancy rates while bringing basic medical services closer to the grassroots.

In Misamis Oriental, necessary funds were allocated to construct Super Health Centers in Gingoog City, Binuangan, Libertad, Balingasag, Claveria, Initao, and Tagoloan. There will also be six other Super Health Centers in Cagayan de Oro City.

Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed.

Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported several infrastructure projects, including the construction of drainage system and flood control structures along Iponan River, acquisition of several ambulance units and fire and dump trucks, and the construction of a three-story multipurpose building in Barangay 33.

He was also instrumental in the funding for flood control projects in Magsaysay, Medina and Gingoog City; construction of multipurpose buildings in Initao, Magsaysay and Gingoog City; rehabilitation of local roads in Baliangao, Balingasag, Balingoan, Initao, Lagonglong, Laguindingan, Libertad, Lugait, Magsaysay, Manticao and El Salvador City; and construction of water systems in Balingasag and Jasaan.

Last March 23, Go was named by the local government of Cagayan de Oro City as an adopted son, acknowledging his notable contributions, not only to the city but to the nation as a whole.

The city government also recognized former president Rodrigo Duterte as its adopted son highlighting his legacy programs that have significantly contributed to the progress of the country during his term, such as the Build, Build, Build, program and his war against illegal drugs.