Iloilo fire victims receive needed aid

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s relief team provided aid to fire victims in Jaro, Iloilo City, last Monday.

Go delivered a message stressing the importance of life and the bayanihan (community spirit) for recovering from adversity.

“It is sad to be affected by a fire. But we are here to help each other,” Go said. “As I’ve said, belongings can be bought, money can be earned. But the money to be earned cannot buy life. A lost life is a lost life forever. The important thing is we are alive.”

In connection with disaster relief, Go stressed the need for safe and disaster-resilient evacuation centers in every municipality and city across the country for displaced families.

He highlighted that this is mandated by Republic Act 12076, which he principally authored and co-sponsored, also known as the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act.

“I am pleading with my colleagues in government. Prioritize evacuation centers because this is a law, rather than having it wasted on flood control projects that are being used as a cash cow by a few,” the senator said.

Go is also pushing for the passage of Senate Bill No. 415, or the proposed Rental Housing Subsidy Program, which he refiled in the 20th Congress. The measure aims to support displaced families with rental assistance while they transition to permanent housing after a disaster.