Kuya Bong provides fire victims needed aid

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go provided emergency aid and relief supplies to 117 families displaced by a recent residential fire in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City, as the senator’s relief team organized the distribution activity at the Barangay Mambaling Health Center to assist residents affected by the 1 November blaze as they begin rebuilding their homes.

Beneficiaries received financial assistance, hot meals, emergency food packs, water containers, clothing, and sports equipment. Additional items, including bicycles, mobile phones, and household goods, were distributed through a raffle.

During his address, Go expressed gratitude to the Cebuano community for their sustained support for his public service programs and asked residents to keep former President Rodrigo Duterte in their prayers.

“If there is any good or help we can extend to our fellowmen, let us do it now because we only pass through this world once,” Go said, stressing the government’s obligation to maintain accessible relief services for disaster-affected communities.

Go highlighted several legislative measures aimed at strengthening national disaster preparedness and recovery frameworks. He cited his role as principal author of Republic Act 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which mandates the construction of fully equipped, permanent evacuation centers across all cities and municipalities nationwide.

The senator also referenced pending legislative initiatives, including Senate Bill 173, proposing the creation of a dedicated Department of Disaster Resilience, and Senate Bill 415, which seeks to establish a Rental Housing Subsidy Program for informal settlers and displaced families awaiting permanent housing relocation.

Local officials who assisted in coordinating the relief distribution included Representative Girlie Enriquez-Veloso, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, and Barangay Mambaling captain Roseller Salvador.

Prior to the Mambaling activity, Go visited fire victims in Barangay Labangon, Mandaue City, and later provided emergency assistance to an additional 308 displaced residents gathered at the Cebu City Sports Institute.