* Says, “Huwag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa”Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go personally visited Barangay Addition Hills in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday, January 21, to deliver assistance to families displaced by a recent fire incident occurred on January 19.
During his visit, Go proceeded to the ground zero of the blaze to personally assess the extent of the damage and check on the condition of the affected residents. The senator emphasized that being on-site allows him to better understand the actual situation and ensure that the immediate needs of fire victims are properly addressed.
“Hindi ko na po mabilang kung ilang beses na ako nakabalik dito sa Addition Hills kapag may nasusunugan. Malapit po sa puso ko ang mga taga-Mandaluyong City,” Go shared.
He further encouraged the affected families to remain hopeful despite their loss.
“Huwag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Ang lagi ko pong sinasabi, ang gamit ay mabibili natin ‘yan, ang pera, kikitain n’yo ‘yan kung magsusumikap lang tayo. Pero ang perang kikitain ay hindi mabibili ang buhay,” said Go.
Barangay Addition Hills Captain Carlito Cernal informed the senator that 198 families were affected, noting the challenges posed by the densely populated area.
“Mga nasa 198 pamilya po at dikit-dikit ang mga bahay. ‘Yan po ang problema kapag dikit-dikit ang mga bahay. Kapag may aberya, mahirap malaman kung saan lulusot,” Cernal explained.
When asked by Go if firefighters were able to enter the area, Cernal responded that fire trucks were able to access the nearby court area, while additional efforts were made from elevated points within the vicinity.
The senator then reiterated his continued push for comprehensive disaster preparedness and response measures. He is the principal author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of permanent, disaster-resilient, and fully equipped evacuation centers in every city and municipality nationwide.
Complementing this measure is RA 11589, or the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Modernization Act of 2021, which Go also principally authored and co-sponsored. He highlighted the law’s role in strengthening the capability of fire personnel through improved equipment, training, and resources.
Held at the Barangay Addition Hills evacuation center, the affected families received assistance. The relief effort was made possible through close coordination with Mandaluyong City Mayor Menchie Abalos, Vice Mayor Anthony Suva, and Barangay Captain Cernal, who helped facilitate the on-the-ground outreach.
During the distribution, Go’s team provided food packs, snacks, vitamins, water containers, shirts, fruits, fans, as well as basketballs and volleyballs for the community. Financial assistance was also extended to affected residents. Select beneficiaries additionally received shoes, bicycles, a mobile phone, and a watch.
As Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Go underscored the importance of accessible healthcare services for Filipinos.
“Napakahalaga po sa akin ang kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Ang Malasakit Center, para po ‘yan sa Pilipino—inyo po ‘yan, karapatan po ‘yan ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.
Malasakit Centers serve as one-stop shops that help indigent patients reduce their hospital expenses to the lowest possible amount. Go is the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the program. Currently, 167 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide and have assisted more than 17 million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health.
In Mandaluyong City, a Malasakit Center is located at the National Center for Mental Health.
“Asahan niyo po, bukas po ang aking opisina para sa inyo, mga kababayan ko. Huwag po nating kalimutang magpasalamat sa Panginoon,” Go concluded.
