Press Release - Amid Sinulog festivities, Bong Go prioritizes visit to aid fire victims in Cebu City

Before joining the celebration of Sinulog in Cebu, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go personally delivered assistance to fire victims in Barangay Carreta, Cebu City, on Sunday, January 14, as part of his efforts to support more distressed Filipino families.

Go stressed that it is an unfortunate situation to see Filipinos spend time in an evacuation area during the Sinulog celebration in Cebu, when people should be joyous and jubilant. That is he personally visited and provided assistance to fire victims in Brgy. Carretta in Cebu City before joining the celebration of the Sinulog sa Lalawigan Grand Showdown at Cebu City Sports Complex.

"Happy Sinulog Festival sa inyo. Pit Senyor sa inyong lahat! At 'wag nating kalimutan na magpasalamat sa Diyos. Wala tayo sa mundo kung hindi dahil sa Panginoon," greeted Go.

"Tandaan natin sa mga nasunugan, huwag kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Mahirap ang masunugan, 'wag kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Alam ko masakit ang masunugan pero ang importante buhay tayo. Sabi ko nga sa inyo noon, ang gamit ay nabibili, ang pera ay kikitain, subalit 'yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Pangalagaan at ingatan po natin ang buhay at kalusugan ng bawat isa," he continued.

During his visit, at least 154 fire-hit households received financial assistance, grocery packs, water containers, meals, shirts, balls for basketball and volleyball, vitamins, and masks. There were also select recipients of bicycles, mobile phones, and shoes.

Meanwhile, in coordination with Go's office and the LGU, the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) evaluated potential beneficiaries for their respective housing and livelihood assistance programs to aid their recovery further.

"Sa totoo lang gustong gusto talaga niya pumunta dito. Hindi lang staff niya yung pinadala niya dito pero siya mismo ang bibisita sa mga biktima ng sunog. Kaya hindi natin makakalimutan ang serbisyo ni Senator Bong Go. Walang kamatayan hanggang nasa puwesto pa siya tutulungan nya ang mga mahihirap lalong lalo na ang mga Cebuano dahil mahal na mahal niya ang mga Cebuano," Carreta Barangay Captain Marciano Ando