Press Release - Bong Go provides support to help Zamboanga City fire victims rebuild and recover

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go extended assistance on Friday, October 13, to fire victims at Maria Clara Lorenzo Lobregat Gym in Zamboanga City, during a relief activity led by National Housing Authority (NHA) General Manager Joeben Tai, Regional Manager Engineer Al-Khawarizmi Indanan, and the local government.

"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.

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

A total of 290 recovering fire victims received snacks, shirts, vitamins, and balls for basketball and volleyball from the senator. Select recipients also received shoes, mobile phones, and bicycles.

Meanwhile, a team from NHA extended emergency housing assistance to qualified families to further help them recover and obtain the materials they need to rebuild their homes.

"Mayroon po akong isinusulong na programa noon para sa NHA. Ito po 'yung pambili ng housing materials. Bibigyan po kayo ngayong araw na ito ng pambili ng materyales tulad ng pako, yero at iba pang kagamitang pampaayos ng bahay. Patuloy nating sinusuportahan ang implementasyon ng programa para makatulong po sa mga nasunugan nating kababayan na makabangon muli," Go explained.

Go also noted that he primarily authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11589, also known as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Modernization Act of 2021.

The law mandates BFP to undergo a ten-year modernization program to help improve the capabilities of the agency. The program includes recruiting more firefighters, acquiring new fire equipment, and developing specialized training, among others.

Furthermore, it also mandates 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.

Go also offered additional assistance to