Senator Christopher Bong Go on Wednesday personally visited Barangay Addition Hills in Mandaluyong City to provide assistance to families displaced by a fire that struck the area on 19 January.

Go went to the ground zero of the blaze to assess the extent of the damage and check on the condition of affected residents, saying his presence on-site allows him to better understand their immediate needs.

“Hindi ko na po mabilang kung ilang beses na ako nakabalik dito sa Addition Hills kapag may nasusunugan. Malapit po sa puso ko ang mga taga-Mandaluyong City,” Go said.

He urged families who lost their homes to remain hopeful despite the tragedy.

“Huwag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Ang lagi ko pong sinasabi, ang gamit ay mabibili natin ‘yan, ang pera, kikitain n’yo ‘yan kung magsusumikap lang tayo. Pero ang perang kikitain ay hindi mabibili ang buhay,” he added.

Barangay Addition Hills Captain Carlito Cernal said at least 198 families were affected by the fire, citing the challenges posed by the community’s dense residential layout.

“Mga nasa 198 pamilya po at dikit-dikit ang mga bahay. ‘Yan po ang problema kapag dikit-dikit ang mga bahay. Kapag may aberya, mahirap malaman kung saan lulusot,” Cernal said.

When asked by Go about firefighting operations, Cernal explained that fire trucks were able to access a nearby court area, while other efforts were carried out from elevated points within the vicinity.

During the visit, Go reiterated his push for stronger disaster preparedness and response measures, citing Republic Act No. 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of permanent and disaster-resilient evacuation centers in every city and municipality.

He also highlighted Republic Act No. 11589, or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021, which he principally authored and co-sponsored, noting that the law strengthens the capabilities of fire personnel through improved equipment, training, and resources.

At the Barangay Addition Hills evacuation center, affected families received relief packs through coordination with Mandaluyong City Mayor Menchie Abalos, Vice Mayor Anthony Suva, and barangay officials.

Go’s team distributed food packs, snacks, vitamins, water containers, shirts, fruits, fans, and sports equipment such as basketballs and volleyballs. Financial assistance was also provided, while select beneficiaries received shoes, bicycles, a mobile phone, and a watch.

As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Go also emphasized the importance of accessible healthcare through Malasakit Centers.

“Napakahalaga po sa akin ang kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Ang Malasakit Center, para po ‘yan sa Pilipino—inyo po ‘yan, karapatan po ‘yan ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.

Malasakit Centers serve as one-stop shops that help indigent patients reduce hospital expenses. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. According to the Department of Health, 167 Malasakit Centers are currently operational nationwide, assisting more than 17 million Filipinos.

A Malasakit Center operates at the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong City.

“Asahan niyo po, bukas po ang aking opisina para sa inyo, mga kababayan ko. Huwag po nating kalimutang magpasalamat sa Panginoon,” Go said.