Bong Go aids Samal Island fire victims

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go continues to provide assistance to fire victims across the country, directing his team to organize a relief effort for those affected in Barangay Tambo, Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS), Davao del Norte on Tuesday, 21 November.

Held at Barangay Tambo gymnasium, Go's team gave financial assistance, snacks, grocery packs, water containers, shirts, vitamins, masks, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 12 affected households. There were also select recipients of a watch and a pair of shoes.

Meanwhile, teams from the National Housing Authority (NHA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), conducted an on-site assessment to determine potential recipients who may qualify for their respective housing or livelihood assistance programs.

In a video message, Go emphasized his ongoing efforts to assist the government in ensuring the implementation of a more robust fire prevention campaign in the communities. He also pointed out that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is currently in the process of modernizing, following the approval of Republic Act No. 11589.

The BFP Modernization Act, primarily authored and co-sponsored by Go, mandates the agency to undergo a 10-year modernization program. This initiative aims to elevate the bureau into a world-class institution, enhancing its ability to respond to fire-related incidents by increasing the number of firefighters, acquiring new fire equipment, and implementing specialized training, among other measures.

"Sa pagiikot ko ng bansa para makatulong sa mga nasunugan, nakita ko po talaga ang importansya ng pagpapalakas ng ating fire prevention campaigns. Kaya naman nagpapasalamat ako sa dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa pag-apruba ng BFP Modernization Act para mas lalo pang lumakas ang kapasidad ng ahensya," expressed Go.

"Sa mga nasunugan naman po, alam ko pong napakahirap ng panahon ngayon at kayo po ay nasunugan pa pero huwag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Ang pera naman po ay kikitain pero ang pera ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Kaya mag-ingat po tayo palagi," he reminded.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, extended additional support to residents in need of hospital care. He encouraged them to utilize the services of nearby Malasakit Centers, specifically those at Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City or Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City.

Having personally witnessed the challenges faced by disadvantaged Filipinos in settling their hospital bills, Go initiated the Malasakit Centers program and successfully advocated for RA 11463, which he principally authored and sponsored in 2019.

These centers consolidate relevant agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), allowing patients to conveniently access various medical assistance programs.

Presently, there are 159 Malasakit Centers established nationwide that have helped more than ten million indigent Filipinos according to DOH.

Moreover, Go persists in enhancing healthcare accessibility at the grassroots level by supporting the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide including one in IGaCoS.

Super Health Centers offer health services including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine.

Through the collective efforts of DOH, local government units, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated under DOH for the construction of 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. As the lead implementing agency, DOH identifies the strategic areas where these Super Health Centers will be established.

Senator Go also underscored the importance of the recently enacted RA 11959, for which he served as the principal sponsor and one of the authors. The Regional Specialty Centers Act requires the creation of specialized medical care facilities within current DOH regional hospitals, aiming to bring these services closer to communities.

Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, has also supported the construction of several roads including the road stretching from Crossing Toril, Babak to Brgy. Sto. Niño, Babak District; the road connecting San Agustin Elementary School to Maximo Arellano Elementary School, Brgy. Sto. Niño, Babak District; and the road at the Port of Brgy. Sta. Cruz to Brgy. Linosutan, Talicud Island, Kaputian District.

Last 11 November, Go was in IGaCoS to visit the troops stationed in Barangay Peñaplata, attended the Samalenyo Cup, inspected an infrastructure project he had earlier supported, and witnessed the turnover of motorboat engines to boost the livelihood of local fisherfolk in Samal.