Press Release - Bong Go helps fire victims in Senator Ninoy Aquino town, Sultan Kudarat

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go's outreach team, in coordination with local officials, provided assistance to fire-affected households in Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat on Tuesday, October 24.

Go's staff extended financial assistance, grocery packs, water containers, shirts, snacks, and balls for basketball and volleyball to six families.

To further help them recover, representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the National Housing Authority (NHA) also conducted necessary assessments for their respective emergency housing and livelihood assistance programs.

"Sa mga nasunugan, huwag ho kayong mag-alala. 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," said Go in a video message.

"Pangalagaan at ingatan po natin ang buhay at kalusugan ng bawat isa. Ang importante po magtulungan tayo, sino pa ba ang magtutulungan kung 'di tayong mga kapwa Pilipino. Kaya po nandirito kami ngayon para tulungan kayong lahat mga kababayan ko," he added.

Go also cited that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is currently undergoing a modernization program following the enactment of Republic Act No. 11589, also known as the BFP Modernization Act of 2021, which he primarily authored and co-sponsored.

The Act shall enable the agency to respond faster and more effectively to fire-related incidents in the country by procuring new fire equipment, expanding manpower, and conducting specialized training for firefighters, among others.

Furthermore, it also mandates the BFP to conduct monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drives in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and local government units (LGUs).

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also offered to help those with health issues. The senator encouraged them to visit the Malasakit Center located at Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital in Isulan town if they require medical assistance.

Malasakit Centers function as one-stop shops that provide convenient access to medical assistance programs for poor and indigent patients. These