Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go distributed cash assistance and grocery packs, to the victims of a fire that killed one person and destroyed about 200 houses at the Fishport Market 3 in Barangay North Bay Boulevard South (NBBS), Navotas City, on October 18.
“Kapag ganitong kailangang matugunan ang problema ninyo, pupuntahan ko kayo kahit anong oras po,” Go told the victims, who were gathered at the North Bay Boulevard North Elementary School.
The Senator also said he would take care of the uniforms and school supplies of the affected children and offered to pay for the fare of those who want to relocate to their provinces.
The victims also received additional assistance from concerned government agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and National Housing Authority (NHA).
In his speech, Go requested government agencies to speed up the relocation of the victims. “Nananawagan po ako sa Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, sa LGU ng Navotas, sa National Housing Authority at sa iba pang miyembro ng Local Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee na pabilisin at i-fast track ang relocation ng ating mga kababayan.”
He emphasized that the new location should be comfortable and safe. “Kung saan po sila komportable at ligtas. Para di na po maulit itong parating nasusunog.”
The residents cheered upon hearing Go’s statement of support.
“Nalulungkot po ako kapag nababalitaang may namatay. Magtulungan tayo. Kaya nating bilhin yung mga damit, mga gamit. Yung buhay po, di nabibili, kaya ingat po tayo parati,” Go added.
He also shared that he has filed a Fire Protection Modernization bill in the Senate that seeks to modernize the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
Senate Bill (SB) 204 that Go filed aims to improve the current state of the Bureau of Fire Protection, giving them better equipment and resources to train its personnel. The measure aims to provide modern fire equipment, hiring of more personnel to strengthen manpower, and trainings for firefighters.
Moreover, the bill also targets to establish Fire Protection Services (FPS) in all local government units (LGUs). The bill also proposes rescue hotlines in all LGUs to help the local governments respond immediately to accidents, disasters and calamities.
In an interview after the event, the Senator assured the public that President Rodrigo Duterte is not suffering from anything serious although he is in pain from a motorcycle accident on October 16.
Speculations about the President’s health arose when he returned to the Philippines earlier than scheduled while on a trip to Japan to attend Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement ceremony.
“Nothing to worry po. Huwag kayong mag-alala,” Go said. He shared that the President underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on Tuesday night, October 22.
“Kagabi, pumunta agad kami sa ospital para i-MRI si Pangulong Duterte after naming bumisita sa wake ni late Senator Nene Pimentel,” Go said.
“Sa awa ng Panginoon ay muscle spasm lang po ang nakita. Kailangan lang po ng Pangulo magpahinga in the coming days,” he added.
When asked if the President will take a complete rest, Go said the President will not. “Alam niyo si Pangulo, di talaga titigil sa pagtatrabaho, lalong-lalo na po meron siyang mga obligasyon. Bukas po ay sasalubungin at tatanggapin pa rin niya ang Vice Premier ng China at marami siyang mga meetings sa Malacañang.”
“Tuloy-tuloy ang trabaho ng Pangulo, at nakita ko naman kagabi, kayang-kaya,” he added.
The Senator also expressed his pride when asked about his son, Christian Lawrence Go, who garnered the third highest rating at the latest Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure examinations.
“Bilang isang ama, I’m very proud of him. Puro aral itong batang ito,” he said.
He then advised the youth to take their studies seriously. “Sa mga kabataan natin, iyon na lang po ang isukli natin sa ating mga magulang–mag-aral tayo nang mabuti. Kami pong mga magulang, nagpapakamatay, nagtatrabaho para mapaaral tayo at makapagtapos tayo.” (senate.gov.ph)