Despite the bad weather, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally visited Quezon City on Tuesday, 17 May, to provide relief to families whose houses were damaged by a recent fire incident in Barangay UP Campus.,Go, in his remarks, expressed his concern to the victims and reaffirmed to them that they would be able to recover immediately as he reassured that the government is always ready to help.,“Ako po ay nalulungkot tuwing may nasasaktan, may nasusugatan, at lalung-lalo na po kapag may namamatay. Mahirap ang masunugan. Kapag nasunog yung isang bahay, damay yung kapitbahay. (Pero) importante po sa akin yung buhay ng bawat isa. Ang gamit po, (kapag) magtulungan lang tayo, nabibili po natin yan,” Go expressed his sympathy to the bereaved families.,“Ang pera po ay kikitain natin, subalit ang perang kikitain natin ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Ang importante po sa akin (ay) mag-ingat po kayo,” he continued.,The senator then vowed that he will remain steadfast in pushing for better and strengthened fire prevention efforts. He then cited that the Bureau of Fire Protection is currently undergoing a modernization program that would ensure a more proactive fire response from the government.,Republic Act No. 11589 was primarily authored and co-sponsored by Go and seeks to improve the capabilities of the BFP by implementing a ten-year modernization program, which includes recruiting more firefighters, acquiring new fire equipment, and developing specialized training, among others.,“Isa po ako sa unang nag-file, unang bill ko po bilang Senador, itong modernization ng Bureau of Fire and Protection (bill). Ibig sabihin nitong batas na ito i-modernize po yung Bureau of Fire, karagdagang kagamitan, karagdagang fire fighters at monthly education campaign para tulungan po yung mga kababayan natin na mag-ingat dahil bawat bahay po na nasusunog, damay ang kapitbahay,” the lawmaker explained.,Furthermore, Go also continues to push for the passage of his proposed measure, SBN 1228 or the Mandatory Evacuation Center Act, which aims to establish safe, permanent, and dedicated evacuation centers in every city, province and municipality in the country. The centers shall be fully equipped to provide immediate aid to calamity and disaster victims, including fire victims.,The senator and his team provided relief items, such as grocery packs, shirts, meals, and vitamins to a total of 106 families or 459 family members at the Suntay Hall in Brgy. UP Campus.,They also provided bicycles, cellphones, shoes, basketballs, volleyballs, shirts, and a ‘Nasunugan box’ with essential items to select individuals.,Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development granted financial assistance to each affected household. The National Housing Authority further assessed the needs of the affected families and committed to provide further housing assistance.,The Department of Health distributed medicines and additional vitamins while the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Philippine Fisheries Development Authority provided supplies and food items.,Lastly, the Department of Trade and Industry conducted an on-site evaluation where qualified recipients were given livelihood assistance.,Apart from the assistance, Go offered additional aid to those in need of medical care. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go urged those with health concerns to visit any of the 11 Malasakit Centers in the city if they may need assistance with their hospital bills. To date, there are 151 operational Malasakit Centers nationwide.,“Ang Malasakit Center po ay one stop-shop (at) nasa loob na po ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno yung Philhealth, PCSO, DOH at DSWD. Batas na po yan na isinulong ko noon na pinirmahan ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte. Tingnan nyo po dito sa Quezon City napakarami po Malasakit Center dito,” Go cited.,“Kung nahihirapan po kayo sa pagpapaospital ninyo, wag po kayong mag-atubili na lumapit sa Malasakit Centers o sa opisina namin, handa po kaming tumulong sa inyo,” he reassured.,In Quezon City, poor and indigent patients may seek the services of Malasakit Centers at the Lung Center of the Philippines, Novaliches District Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC), Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), Philippine Orthopedic Center, National Children’s Hospital, Philippine National Police General Hospital, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC).,As part of his commitment to improve the country’s healthcare system, Go has also successfully pushed for the passage of Republic Act No. 11501 in 2020, increasing the QMMC’s bed capacity from 500 to 1,000 beds; and R.A. No. 11561 in 2021, increasing the EAMC’s bed capacity from 600 to 1,000 beds.,Continuing his remarks, the senator encouraged the unvaccinated yet eligible public to take part in the national vaccination program, saying, “Libre naman po ito sa gobyerno kaya pakiusap ko po sa hindi pa bakunado magpabakuna na po kayo. Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay.”,Meanwhile, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported the construction of multipurpose buildings, flood control structures, and drainage systems in the city.,He likewise supported the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center and VMMC road networks, road and drainage improvement works along the Quirino Highway and P. Dela Cruz Road, construction of an advanced cardiac catheterization laboratory and expansion of the new emergency room building at the EAMC, and construction of a five-story multipurpose building at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo.,Concluding his message, Go thanked the local leaders of Quezon City for ensuring that their constituents are well-supported, especially during crisis situations.,“Alam niyo umabot na ako ng Batanes. Nagbukas po tayo ng Malasakit dun, umabot na ako ng Jolo, nasunugan din dun mga Badjao, pinuntahan ko rin po. Basta kaya lang po ng aking katawan at ng panahon, pupuntahan ko po kayo dahil yun po yung ipinangako ko sa inyo. Kahit umulan man nang malakas, tuloy pa rin ang aking pagseserbisyo,” Go vowed.,“Kaya kami po ni Pangulong Duterte ay patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil kami po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo po sa tao ay serbisyo po yan sa Diyos…. Mga taga-UP Campus, mahal na mahal po namin kayo,” he concluded.