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Go extends aid to QC fire victims

January 21, 2019, 9:08 pm

<p><strong>IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE TO FIRE VICTIMS.</strong> Former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and his supporters visit Barangay Pinyahan to distribute clothes, shoes, grocery items, food packs, meals, and cash assistance to fire victims affected families on Saturday (January 19, 2019).<em> (PNA Photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)</em></p>

IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE TO FIRE VICTIMS. Former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and his supporters visit Barangay Pinyahan to distribute clothes, shoes, grocery items, food packs, meals, and cash assistance to fire victims affected families on Saturday (January 19, 2019). (PNA Photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)

MANILA — Former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Saturday gave assistance to fire victims in Barangay Pinyahan in Quezon City.

Go and his team went to the area and immediately gave away clothes, shoes, grocery items, food packs, meals, and cash assistance to the affected families there. Locals were very grateful for the care and support shown by Go and his supporters.

“Konting tulong mula sa pribadong mga kaibigan na nagmamalasakit lang po sa nangangailangan,” he said. “Sa pagsisilbi po sa ating mga kapatid na Pilipino, magkakasama po tayo diyan.”

The former presidential aide also confirmed that he will be contacting his former colleagues in the government to request additional assistance for the fire surviviors.

“Hihingi ako ng tulong sa ilang kaibigan at kakilala sa gobyerno tulad ng NHA kasi baka may mga iba diyan na interesadong lumipat ng bahay at magkaroon ng sariling titirhan. Pati mga kaibigan at kakilala natin sa DOH, DSWD, PAGCOR, kakausapin ko din,” Go told Pinyahan residents.

In addition, Go said he will be donating uniforms to students and employees who were affected by the fire so that they could immediately go back to school as well as go back to work.

“Aasikasuhin ko na mabilhan ng uniforms ‘yung mga estudyante at empleyado dito para makabalik (na sila) sa kanilang pag-aaral at mga nagtatrabaho (para makapasok na uli sila) sa opisina,” Go told interviewers.

“At ‘yung damit para sa mga batang sanggol, (aayusin din natin ‘yan),” he added.

In light of the fire incident, Go also mentioned that certain properties should be converted to permanent and strategic evacuation centers so that government work and classes are not greatly affected.

“Gusto kong magkaroon ng maayos at safe po na evacuation centers, hindi lang po (para) sa mga nasunugan (kung hindi para rin sa mga biktima ng kalamidad para di na maulit ‘yung mga pangyayari) tulad ng sa Benguet, sa Mt. Province (kung saang may evacuation center) na gumuho na (kasi) hindi (na) pala safe,” Go explained.

“(Mas maganda kung may) sanitation, beddings, mattress; (tipong) comfortable evacuation center,” he added.

Go also noted that Filipinos should be made more aware of fire safety measures to reduce incidents of fire across the country.

“Napakahirap masunugan. Kailangan po (talagang) maturuan sila ng fire safety measures,” Go said.

Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in the city said the fire in Barangay Pinyahan began around 12:20 p.m. Thursday, and was extinguished by 1:16 p.m. the same day.

The fire reached 2nd alarm status.

Residents of the area whose houses were burned down were forced to evacuate to Barangay Pinyahan’s basketball court and barangay hall.

Aside from giving away food and other items, Go asked if there was anyone in Barangay Pinyahan who was injured by the fire and announced that if anyone wants quick medical assistance, they can proceed to the nearest Malasakit Center, where staff members of the center are ready to assist them.

The Malasakit Center, a brainchild of former SAP Bong Go and President Rodrigo Duterte, is a one-stop shop program where PCSO, DSWD, PhilHealth, and other relevant government satellite offices are housed together in one location to ease the process for patients in need of speedy medical and financial assistance.

There are currently 20 Malasakit Centers operating in various parts of the Philippines, with the one nearest to Barangay Pinyahan found in the Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) in Diliman, Quezon City.

Go intends to add to this number through a law that would mandate the creation of Malasakit Centers in provinces and urban centers across the country.

Aside from plans regarding the Malasakit Center, Go, a senatorial candidate, has a legislative agenda which covers issues pertaining to agriculture, housing, improved health service delivery, education, long-term sports development, localized peace talks, anti-drug and crime drive, anti-corruption drive, barangay welfare, creation of a Department of OFWs, as well as senior citizen concerns.

Go ended his visit to Barangay Pinyahan with a message from President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Pinapaabot ni Pangulong Duterte ang kanyang pagkumusta sa inyo. Kung kailangan niyo ng pangpagamot, kung may kailangan po kayo sa kanya, sabihin niyo lang. Ako po ang patuloy ninyong magiging tulay kay Pangulong Duterte kasi mahal namin ang kapwa Pilipino,” he said, quoting the President. (PR)

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