FORMER SPECIAL Assistant to the President and 2019 senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go called for improved fire protection and prevention program as he also emphasized the important role of local government units in assisting fire victims.
Go made the statement when he and his friends visited on Sunday fire victims in Mandaluyong City and later victims rendered homeless by a fire in Parola Compound in Tondo, Manila to personally listen to their concerns and appeal for assistance. While trying to render a song to cheer up the fire victims, Go was not able to hold his tears as he turned emotional when he saw the condition of the survivors.
“Walang may gusto na mangyari ito. Nakakaawa na may mga nasusunugan dahil sa aksidente. Pero hindi porke’t aksidente ito, wala tayong magagawa para maiwasan ang sunog o maagapan ang epekto nito sa mga kawawa nating mga kababayan. Dapat may gawin ang gobyerno at patuloy na magmalasakit sa mga nabiktima,” he said.
In an ambush interview at the sideline of the fire visit, Go said the recent fires in the metropolis all the more motivates him to push for fire protection and prevention programs. “Paigtingin pa natin yung edukasyon (campaign) natin para mapigilan po itong sunog at dagdagan natin ng equipment yung ating Bureau of Fire Protection. Ang gusto ko rin po sana ay malagyan ng evacuation center na maayos sa iba’t ibang lugar,” Go said, noting that usually gyms and classrooms are being used as temporary evacuation centers.
Go envisions the establishment of permanent evacuation centers equipped with adequate emergency supplies such as blankets, water, medicines, flashlight and other immediate needs of victims of calamities. He also cited the crucial role of LGUs in fire prevention and protection program, as well as in providing necessary assistance to fire victims. In Mandaluyong, for instance, Go noted the quick response of the city government in providing the homeless with tents and other relief items.
“Maraming salamat po (sa city government) sa pag-asikaso kaagad (sa mga biktima ng sunog). Bilib po ako kumpleto kaagad, may mga tent kaagad, akala ko nag-camping kayo dito,” Go noted.
Around 1,000 families were left homeless and five persons were injured in a massive fire that hit a residential area in Welfareville Compound, Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City on Friday that razed 300 houses and left estimated damage of P2.5 million.
On the other hand, he noted that some 700 families affected by the fire in Parola Compound in Tondo were brought by the LGU to the nearby Delpan Evacuation Center which is similar to his concept of a dedicated safe haven for victims of calamities. Inaugurated in 2013, the Del Pan Evacuation Center is a four-story building center complete with kitchen and bathroom facilities and can accommodate an estimated 3,000 victims of calamities.
Go also appealed to concerned national government agencies—like the DSWD, DOH, PAGCOR and the National Housing Authority–and the private sector to also pitch to help fire victims. “Hinihikayat ko po (ang mga may magandang loob) na tumulong. Huwag po kayong mag-alala, may mga taong may puso na handang tumulong sa inyo,” Go said.
Go, who made a promise earlier to assist fire victims in whatever way he could, said this advocacy is even more important to him than in pursuing his campaign for the Senate. “Unang araw (ng kampanya) iniwan ko yung pangangampanya, inuna ko yung nasunugan sa Pasay. Ngayon may pangangampanya rin po kami sa Cebu kasama si Pangulong Duterte pero mas uunahin ko pa rin po ang nasunugan,” he stressed.
Go also assured the fire victims that if anyone of them need medical attention, they can count on the assistance of the Malasakit Center, a one-stop shop bringing in one room agencies such as the DOH, DSWD, PCSO and Philhealth to make it easier and faster for poor patients to avail of medical and financial assistance from the government.
“Pera nyo po yan, inyo po yan. Wala pong pulitiko na aangkin niyan. It’s a continuing program of President Duterte. Ako naman gusto ko pagdating ng panahon isabatas ito para tuloy-tuloy kahit hindi na siya ang Pangulo,” Go explained.
Currently, there are 24 Malasakit Centers serving the Filipino people in various areas of the country. Go had earlier said that if elected senator, he would work for a law for the establishment of Malasakit Center in more provinces in the country. However, as a neophyte in politics, Go said he does not relish making campaign promises. “Antayin nyo na lang po ang serbisyong tatak-Duterte,” Go said as he vowed to support the programs and policies of the administration of his friend and mentor, President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Patuloy nyo po akong magiging tulay kay Pangulong Duterte. Alam nyo, wala po kaming ibang hangarin ni Pangulong Duterte kundi kabutihan ng bawat Pilipino dahil mahal namin kayo,” he added.
Apart from fire protection and prevention and health programs, Go’s legislative agenda include programs on agriculture, anti-illegal drugs and criminality, housing, education, long-term sports development, anti-corruption, localized peace talks, creation of a Department of OFW, barangay welfare and improved benefits for senior citizens. (Jun Ledesma)
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