After a fire incident ravaged the homes of more than 118 families in Purok 13, Sunrise Village in Panacan, Davao City, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go provided immediate relief to fire victims on Friday, August 28.

Under strict health protocols, Go and his team distributed food packs, cash assistance, medicine packs, masks and bicycles to some 200 individuals affected by the incident.

“May dala kaming konting financial assistance, grocery packs, at masks para lahat kayo makakuha. Magsuot lang kayo ng mask, ayon sa mga eksperto, 85 porsyento na maiiwasan ang pagkalat ng sakit kung magsusuot kayo ng mask at kung mayroon pang face shield, higit 90 porsyento maiiwasan ang pagkalat ng sakit,” Go told the fire victims.

“Sumunod po tayo sa mga patakaran tulad ng social distancing. Pakiusap lang, kung hindi naman kinakailangan, ‘wag na kayong lalabas sa inyong mga bahay… mas maigi na mag-ingat po tayo para maprotektahan ang ating sarili at ang ating pamilya. Ang ating kooperasyon ay makakapagligtas ng buhay ng ating kapwa,” he added.

Go also told the fire victims that once vaccine becomes available, the poor and the most vulnerable will be prioritized.

“Pinaghahandaan na natin ngayon kung ano ang gagawin kapag may bakuna na laban sa COVID-19. Sisiguraduhin namin ni Pangulong Duterte na mabibigyan ng prayoridad at uunahin ang mga mahihirap at vulnerable sectors… Kayong mga mahihirap ang uunahin para makabalik na tayo sa normal na pamumuhay,” Go said.

“Pero habang wala pang vaccine, patuloy dapat tayong magbayanihan at magmalasakit sa kapwa upang mas mabilis nating malampasan ang krisis na ito,” Go said.

Concerned government agencies also provided aid to the fire victims. These include the Department of Health which provided hygiene kits, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office which also provided medicine and vitamins. The Department of Social Welfare and Development also provided financial assistance.

The National Housing Authority will also provide assistance for housing to the fire victims after requirements are finalized while the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor will provide Disaster Preparedness Orientations as well.

The Department of Labor and Employment will also provide more aid through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged / Displaced Workers and Kabuhayan Program Starter Kits under its DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Programs. The Department of Trade and Industry will also provide Negosyo Kits and entrepreneurial training within two months.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation also committed to distribute relief goods while the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will provide scholarships with allowance for blended learning to qualified beneficiaries.

The Senator also advised the fire victims to visit the nearest Malasakit Center for their medical needs. The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where four government agencies namely DOH, PhilHealth, DSWD and PCSO are under one roof to provide medical financial assistance to Filipinos especially poor and indigent patients.

Go reminded government agencies and local officials to fulfill their mandates and serve their communities especially in times of crises.

“Ang pakiusap lang namin ni Pangulong Duterte sa inyo na huwag ninyo pabayaan ang mga nasunugan at mga nangangailangan,” he said.

Meanwhile, Go has expressed confidence that the plans for the modernization of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is underway. The committee report on his proposed Senate Bill 204, which aims to improve the capabilities of the BFP, is being drafted by the Committee on Public Order headed by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

“The BFP modernization is a three-year plan para bigyan natin sila ng pondo, unahin ang equipment, ‘di tayo mahuli. Tuwing masusunugan, dapat kumpleto tayo sa gamit lalo na sa mga lugar na ‘di accessible,” Go said.

While awaiting passage of the legislative measure, Go said that the executive branch has already started efforts in modernizing the bureau. According to Go, the P27-billion Fire Modernization Program was already finalized by BFP.

“Suportado ko po ang hangarin ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Duterte na i-modernize ang hanay ng BFP. Kaya naman bukod sa budget ng BFP ngayong 2020, nagdagdag po tayo para makabili ang BFP ng additional fire trucks,” he said.

The proposed measure aims to modernize the BFP through the hiring of more personnel, acquisition of modern fire equipment, and more trainings for firefighters, among others, all designed to suppress all kinds of destructive fires and prevent deaths and injuries.

Once passed into law, the BFP will also be mandated to conduct monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drive in all local government units, particularly in informal settlements and economically depressed areas.

“I want to add ‘yung fire education safety measures natin, hindi lamang naman po para i-improve ‘yung equipment natin. ‘Yung atin dito, kung papaano i-prevent at maturuan ang mga kababayan natin,” Go said as he shared his experiences of personally witnessing the devastating impact of these hazards to the lives of Filipinos.

“Ako po mismo ay saksi sa hinagpis na nararamdaman ng ating mga kababayan na biktima ng mga sunog. Buwan-buwan, ilang insidente ng sunog ang aking binibisita sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa upang makapagbigay ng tulong sa mga kababayan nating nabiktima nito,” Go said.