Senator Bong Go underscores fire prevention, personally aids thousands of families in Parola Compound, Manila
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Filipinos as he personally visited families affected by a recent fire in Barangay 275 in Parola Compound, Manila, highlighting the importance of fire prevention, emergency preparedness, and sustained government support for disaster-stricken communities.
On Monday, June 8, Go and his team conducted a relief operation for 2,704 families displaced by the fire, distributing assistance at the Delpan Sports Complex in Manila City.
Go said, “Sa gulo ng pulitika, sana po’y magtrabaho kaming lahat, magserbisyo. Dahil kapag magulo at nag-aaway ang mga lider, ang masasakripisyo ay kayo, mga kababayan ko. Sana matapos na ito ngunit, dapat huwag tayo pumayag na hindi managot ang dapat managot.”
“Ayaw ko po ng gulo, gusto kong nagtatrabaho. Hindi ko nga matiis na nakaupo lang sa opisina ko. Ang lamig ng opisina ko habang kayo nangangailangan ng tulong,” he added.
The senator also appealed for prayers for public servants amid ongoing political tensions.
“Tao lamang po ako na napapagod rin pero pag nakikita ko na masaya kayo, nawawala ang aking pagod. Alam niyo, ngayon ang panahon na ang hirap maging politiko. Ang gusto ko, matapos na ang gulo para makapagserbisyo na kami sa inyo. Ipagdasal niyo naman po kaming lahat sa Senado, mga lungkod-bayan ninyo,” he further added.
The relief operation was conducted in partnership with local leaders including Brgy. 275 Captain Bernard Narito and other barangay officials. Go also mentioned Mocha Uson who is present in the event. Beneficiaries received financial assistance, grocery packs, snacks, vitamins, shirts, and sports equipment. Select recipients also received shoes, a mobile phone, a watch, shoes, and a bicycle.
Known for supporting small and local entrepreneurs, the senator also took time to buy ice drops from a vendor near the evacuation center, providing encouragement to those striving to earn a living despite difficult circumstances.
As part of his broader advocacy for disaster preparedness and public safety, Go cited Republic Act No. 11589, or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021, of which her is the principal author and co-sponsor, which seeks to strengthen the country’s firefighting capabilities and improve emergency response services.
As principal author and co-sponsor of RA 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, Go advocates for permanent, disaster-resilient evacuation centers nationwide.
In his role as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, he underscored the importance of accessible healthcare for indigent patients through Malasakit Centers, institutionalized under RA 11463. Go is the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized Malasakit Centers as one-stop shops that help reduce hospital expenses.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), 167 Malasakit Centers are established nationwide and have assisted more than 17 million Filipinos, including those at Tondo Medical Center, Philippine General Hospital, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, and San Lazaro Hospital in Manila.
“Salamat po sa inyong lahat. Parati pong bukas ang aking opisina para sa inyong lahat,” Go concluded.
Prior to the relief activity in Brgy. 275, Go also visited Brgy. 20 in Tondo, where another fire had broken out earlier that morning. On the same day, he made sure he assessed the situation on the ground, and assured affected families that his team would return to extend aid brought about by the incident.
