Bong Go aids fire victims in Talisay City, Cebu

Sen. Bong Go extended help to 59 families whose houses were recently damaged in a fire incident in Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City, Cebu on Friday, 4 November.

Held at Barangay Tabunok gymnasium, Go's staff distributed relief items, such as grocery packs, shirts, masks, vitamins, and snacks to the fire victims. They also gave phablets, bicycles, shoes, and balls for volleyball and basketball to select individuals.

"Sa mga kababayan ko, sana ay nasa mabuti kayong kalagayan. Alam namin na napakahirap ng panahon ngayon dahil sa mga nangyayari pero kapit po tayo. Hindi kayo pababayaan ng gobyernong ito. Malalampasan din natin itong krisis na ito kung magtutulungan at magbabayanihan tayo," Go said in his video message.

As part of his efforts to bring healthcare access closer to those in need, Go shared that he supported the construction of Super Health Centers in the cities of Mandaue, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, and Bogo; and the towns of Borbon, Cordova, Moalboal, Samboan, and San Francisco.

Advocated by Go, Super Health Centers are medium versions of polyclinics and are bigger than rural health units. They will offer health services including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, 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 center and telemedicine, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients will be done.

To improve fire response mechanisms, the senator then shared that former president Rodrigo Duterte signed the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021 during his term. Republic Act No. 11589 aims to transform the BFP into a world-class facility by implementing a ten-year modernization program that includes the acquisition of new fire equipment, the recruitment of more firefighters, and the provision of specialized training for firefighters, among others.

"Obligasyon po ng gobyerno na maging handa sa kahit ano mang sakuna. Kaya talaga pong pinaglaban ko itong BFP Modernization para po mas mapalakas pa natin ang kapasidad sa pagsugpo ng sunog lalo na po sa mga mahihirap na komunidad," cited Go, who is the primary author and co-sponsor of the Act.

"Ang gamit po'y nabibili, ang pera po'y kinikita. Subalit ang perang kinikita ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Magtulungan lang po tayo. Kailangan natin ang kooperasyon ng bawat isa. Sa mga nasunugan naman po, huwag ho kayong mag-alala. Magtulungan lang tayo," he continued.