Senator Christopher Bong Go led a relief operation for families affected by a deadly fire in Barangay Tejeros, Makati City, underscoring the government’s commitment to disaster response and long-term resilience.
Go personally visited the fire-hit area on Wednesday, 28 January, days after a blaze on 24 January claimed the lives of two residents and left six others injured. He conducted an on-site inspection with Barangay Tejeros Captain Deng Leonardo and went to the reported origin of the fire to assess the damage and the challenges faced by displaced families.
“Pinuntahan namin mismo ang lugar kung saan nasunugan. Importante po sa akin ang buhay at kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Sabi ko nga, ang gamit ay mabibili natin ‘yan, ang pera ay kikitain ‘yan kung magsusumikap tayo. Pero ang buhay, hindi po nabibili. Importante pong buhay tayo, at kilala po ang mga Pilipino sa pagtutulungan,” Go said.
The senator said assisting fire victims is part of his duty as a public servant.
“Huwag po kayong magpasalamat sa akin. Mawalang-galang na po, Mayor. Kung ano po ang naitulong ko sa inyong siyudad, trabaho ko po ‘yun. Ako pa nga po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan ninyo ako ng pagkakataong makapagserbisyo,” he added.
Go also expressed condolences to the families of the fatalities, identified as spouses Ariston Cagatin and Hilda Cagatin.
“Mga kababayan ko, ako po’y nakikiramay sa pamilya nina Ariston at Hilda Cagatin. My deepest condolences. Ramdam ko po ang inyong pagdadalamhati. Magdasal po tayo,” he said.
He urged affected families not to lose hope and to continue praying.
"Alam niyo, napaka importante po ng dasal. Kanina, naabutan ko po ang Nazareno, hindi po nasunog, ‘yung Bible, hindi po nasunog. Ibig sabihin, mayroon pong Panginoon kaya magdasal lang po tayo," Go said.
The relief activity, held at the Carmona Sports Complex, was conducted in coordination with Congresswoman Monique Lagdameo, Makati Mayor Nancy Binay, Vice Mayor Kid Peña, and Barangay Captain Leonardo.
A total of 335 affected families received food packs, snacks, water containers, shirts, electric fans, fruits, and children’s toys. Financial assistance was also distributed, while select beneficiaries received additional items, including shoes, a bicycle, a mobile phone, and a watch.
Go said the national government is continuing its assessment to ensure displaced families receive further assistance for rebuilding their homes and livelihoods.
He also stressed the need for long-term disaster preparedness, citing his role as principal author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which mandates the construction of permanent, disaster-resilient evacuation centers in all cities and municipalities.
“Ako po ay kaisa ng sambayanang Pilipino sa laban kontra korapsyon. Kung nagamit lang po nang tama ang pondong nasayang sa flood control, ilang ospital, health center, eskwelahan, at evacuation center na po sana ang naipatayo. Ang evacuation center, batas na po ‘yan—dapat doon ginamit ang pondo,” Go said.
He also highlighted Republic Act No. 11589, or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021, which aims to strengthen firefighting capability through modern equipment, improved training, and enhanced institutional support.
During the event, Go thanked uniformed personnel for their service.
“Noong panahon pa po ni dating Pangulong Duterte, full support po kami sa kapulisan. Hindi magiging matagumpay ang laban kontra kriminalidad kung wala sila. Palakpakan po natin ang ating mga bumbero, pulis, at ang Armed Forces of the Philippines. Maraming salamat po sa inyo,” he said.
As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Go also highlighted Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized one-stop centers to help indigent patients reduce hospital expenses.
According to the Department of Health, 167 Malasakit Centers are currently operating nationwide and have assisted more than 17 million Filipinos. He also noted that funding has been allocated for the establishment of more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide, including one in Makati.
“Bukas po parati ang aking opisina para sa inyo. Ako naman po, hindi ko kayang nakaupo lang sa opisina ko habang nangangailangan kayo ng tulong. Tawagin niyo lang po akong kuya Bong Go. Magseserbisyo po ako sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” Go said.