Press Release - Before attending the Sinulog Festival, Bong Go prioritizes aid to fire victims in Cebu City

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, on Sunday, January 21, aided families affected by a recent fire in Barangay Quiot Pardo, Cebu City. Prioritizing this visit prior to his scheduled participation in the Sinulog Festival through the invitation of Mayor Mike Rama, Go underscored the importance of first addressing urgent needs of indigent residents affected by crisis situations.

"It is unfortunate to see them spend time in an evacuation area when others are celebrating Sinulog. That is why I prioritized assisting them during my visit. Hindi kumpleto ang bisita ko kung hindi ako makakapag-iwan ng konting kasiyahan sa panahong malungkot sila," Go said.

It can be recalled that the week prior, January 14, Go also personally visited and provided assistance to fire victims in Brgy. Carreta in Cebu City before joining the celebration of the Sinulog sa Lalawigan Grand Showdown at the Cebu City Sports Complex upon the invitation of Governor Gwen Garcia.

This time, the relief activity was held at Quiot National High School where Go and his Malasakit Team aided a total of 38 fire-affected families. They received grocery packs, water gallons, meals, shirts, vitamins, and masks, while there were select recipients of shoes, a mobile phone, a bicycle, and balls for basketball and volleyball.

"Tandaan natin, ang gamit po'y nabibili naman. Ang pera po'y kikitain natin subalit 'yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Kaya pangalagaan natin ang buhay na binigay sa atin ng Panginoon," Go emphasized.

"Hindi ko palalagpasin na makatulong man lang sa inyo, makapag-iwan ng kaunting tulong at makapag-iwan ng kaunting kasiyahan sa panahon ng inyong pagdadalamhati. Alam ko mahirap ang masunugan lalo na ngayon na nakikisaya ang lahat sa Sinulog," he stated.

Meanwhile, Go cited that necessary modernization efforts for the betterment of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) are currently undergoing. Under Republic Act No. 11589, which was primarily authored and co-sponsored by Go in the Senate, the BFP modernization program ensures that the agency is prepared and equipped to respond to fire-related incidents. It includes the acquisition of new fire