DAVAO DEL SUR, March 3, 2019 – On Sunday, former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) and aspiring senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go made time to visit the fire survivors of Isla Verde in Davao City in continuation of his advocacy to support victims of such calamities.
“Asahan niyo na po ito: basta may komunidad na natupok ng apoy o nasalanta ng kalamidad, pupuntahan at pupuntahan ko po ito para, kahit papaano, malaman ng mga nasalantang residente na di sila nag-iisa sa pinagdadaanan nila,” Go declared.
The former SAP visited Purok 4, Isla Verde in Barangay 23-C, Davao City, the site of the February 20, 2019 fire that burned down around 200 houses, affected around 346 families, and caused property damage amounting to more than PHP 1 million.
According to members of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Davao City, the fire started because of electrical short circuiting in one of the residents’ houses.
Bong Go and his supporters visited Isla Verde on Sunday afternoon to see how the residents were doing, to boost their morale, and to listen to their concerns.
Accompanied by his good friend, veteran actor Philip Salvador, Go mingled with community members, knowing that interacting with them is an effective way of helping them overcome the disaster that befell their community.
“Itong pakikipag-usap po namin nina Ipe sa kanila, malaki na po ang nagagawa nito dahil naipaparating nito sa kanila na may mga handang makinig at talagang umiisip sa kapakanan nila,” Go stated.
Go also took the time to call for volunteers who are interested in providing aid to the community.
“Kung mayroon po diyan na interesadong magpadala ng tulong sa Isla Verde, huwag po kayong mahiyang lumapit sa munisipyo ng Davao City o sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno para maibot ang tulong na ibig po ninyong iparating sa kanila,” Go said.
“Kailangan po nila ng tulong at malaki po ang nagagawa ng pagtugon ninyo. Magsama-sama po tayo, private sector at gobyerno, para matulungan ang komunidad na ito at iba pang nasalanta ng sakuna,” Go added.
Bong Go then discussed why revamped fire safety and protection measures are needed in the Philippines.
“Kailangan na po talaga natin ito. Maraming mga komunidad at settlements ang nasusunugan dahil may mga taong kailangan ng edukasyon sa kung papaano nagsisimula ang mga sunog. Maiiwasan naman talaga ang mga sunog kung may sapat na pag-iingat sa bahagi ng mga tao,” Go explained.
“Bukod pa riyan, panahon na para magpatayo ang gobyerno ng mga maayos at permanenteng evacuation centers na pwedeng agarang puntahan ng mga biktima ng sunog at sakuna. Kung mabibigyan po tayo ng pagkakataon, handa po nating isulong ito sa Senado,” he added.
Bong Go also reminded Isla Verde residents that they may visit the Malasakit Center at Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City for their fire–related injuries and other health concerns.
“Mayroon po tayong Malasakit Center, doon po sa Southern Philippines Medical Center. Kung kailangan po ninyo ng tulong medikal, huwag po kayong mahiyang pumunta doon. Pilipino po kayo; siguradong aasikasuhin po kayo doon,” Go announced.
The Malasakit Center, a program being implemented by the Duterte administration, is a one-stop shop where satellite offices of DOH, PCSO, DSWD, PhilHealth, and other relevant government agencies are housed together in one area to ease the process for patients requiring quick medical and financial assistance.
Bong Go, who initiated the Malasakit Center program during his time as a government official, intends to legislate measures so that more centers are established across the Philippines and so that the Malasakit Center program can continue serving patients, especially indigent ones.
A senatorial candidate in the 2019 elections, Bong Go has a legislative agenda with programs for agriculture, accessible housing, improved health service delivery, education, long-term sports development, fire protection and prevention, localized peace talks, anti-drugs and crime drive, anti-corruption drive, barangay welfare, the creation of a Department of OFWs, and the establishment of a senior citizens commission.
