Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally visited families affected by a recent fire in Barangay 773, San Andres Bukid, Manila City on Tuesday, 1 July, distributing essential aid and reaffirming his commitment to disaster response, health reform, and support for grassroots communities.
Go, along with his Malasakit Team, provided financial aid, grocery packs, snacks, water containers, clothing, vitamins, and sports balls to 44 displaced families. He also shared a traditional Filipino breakfast of hotdog, tuyo, salted egg with tomatoes, and lechon manok with residents.
“Tandaan natin ang pera kikitain, ang damit nalalabhan, ang gamit nabibili. Subalit yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. Importante buhay tayo,” Go said, emphasizing that no lives were lost in the fire.
He praised the quick action of barangay and city officials, including Barangay Captain Romeo Palileo and former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. “Hindi rin magiging posible ang pagtulong na ito kung wala ang barangay officials...,” Go added, thanking all volunteers and local leaders.
Go assured the community that his office remains open and accessible during crises. “Sa abot ng aking makakaya ay bukas po ang aking opisina para sa inyong lahat. Mahal na mahal ko kayo rito sa Manila,” he said.
He also cited ongoing validation for the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) and advocated for his proposed Rental Housing Subsidy Act (Senate Bill No. 192), which seeks to provide temporary shelter to disaster victims as they transition to permanent homes.
Go highlighted the implementation of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Modernization Act (RA 11589), which aims to upgrade firefighting capabilities, and the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act (RA 12076), mandating disaster-resilient evacuation centers across municipalities and cities.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go outlined his three-fold approach to healthcare: Malasakit Centers, Super Health Centers, and Regional Specialty Centers.
“Mayroon kayong Malasakit Center sa PGH lapitan n’yo lang, sa Fabella, sa Jose Reyes, sa Tondo, sa Heart Center... Karapatan n’yo po ‘yan, pera n’yo po ‘yan,” he said, referring to the five Malasakit Centers in Manila.
These one-stop shops aim to help indigent patients reduce medical expenses. Go is the principal author of RA 11463, the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. Nationwide, 167 centers have already assisted over 17 million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health.
Go also discussed the rollout of over 700 Super Health Centers across the country — including four in Manila — to provide free consultations, early disease detection, and primary care services under PhilHealth’s Konsulta program.
He emphasized the importance of regionalizing access to specialized healthcare through the newly enacted RA 11959, which mandates the creation of specialty centers in DOH regional hospitals.
As Chair of the Senate Committees on Sports and Youth, Go encouraged the younger generation to stay active and away from vices. “Iniengganyo ko po ang mga kabataan to get into sports, stay away from drugs to keep us healthy and fit,” he said, while handing out sports equipment.
He also supported local vendors affected by the fire, buying palabok and ice drop to help jumpstart livelihoods.
“Sa lahat po ng pamilyang naririto, huwag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa… Serbisyo, pagmamalasakit, at sipag po ang pwede kong ialay sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino,” Go concluded.
“Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa, gawin na natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito.”