TONDO, Manila – Senator Christopher “Bong” Go wasted no time after his official proclamation on Saturday, May 17, at the Manila Hotel, immediately proceeding to Barangays 118 and 123 in Tondo, Manila, to personally check on families affected by a recent fire incident. The fire, which broke out on April 23, impacted an estimated 154 families in Barangay 118 and 897 families in Barangay 123.
Following the same pattern as his post-election outreach in 2019—when he visited fire victims in Caloocan City right after his first proclamation—Senator Go reinforced his trademark brand of swift, on-the-ground public service.
“Noong panahon ng kampanya hindi po kami pwedeng pumunta sa mga nasunugan. Ngayon tapos na po ang eleksyon, tapos na po ang proclamation kaya po ako bumalik dito dahil ‘yon naman po ang pangako ko sa kanila na may eleksyon o wala pupuntahan ko ‘yung mga nasunugan kung may panahon po ako at may pagkakataon,” the senator told reporters in an ambush interview.
Widely known as “Mr. Malasakit” for his compassionate brand of public service, Senator Go emphasized that he would rather spend time with fire victims than do post-proclamation celebrations.
“Gusto ko silang tulungan dahil gusto kong ilapit ang gobyerno sa kanila. Gusto kong pumunta sa kanila. Hindi ko matiis na nakaupo sa opisina. Mas ninais ko pong makipag-boodle fight dito kaysa pumunta po sa mga hotel after my proclamation para kumain sa mga hotel na magagara. Mas pinili ko pong pumunta rito, makihalubilo sa kanila at tumulong sa mga nasunugan,” he said.
He added his affinity with Filipinos he is mandated to serve, “At kanina nga kumain pa ako ng hotdog at tsaka isaw doon, paborito ko ‘yon. Ngayon makikihalubilo po ako at kakain po ako kasama sila.”
Senator Go stressed that his commitment to the poor remains the same as when he first entered the Senate.
“‘Yon naman po ang una kong ginawa noong 2019, wala pong nagbago. Gagawin ko po ang aking trabaho at gusto kong ilapit ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa ating mga kababayan lalung lalo na po sa mga mahihirap. Salamat po sa tiwala, salamat po sa pagkakataong makapagserbisyo sa ating mga kababayan,” he stated.
The senator also highlighted that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is undergoing a modernization program aimed at improving its readiness and capabilities in responding to fire-related incidents.
Republic Act No. 11589, known as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Modernization Act of 2021, was principally authored and co-sponsored by Senator Go in the Senate. This law establishes a ten-year modernization program for the BFP, which includes acquiring modern fire equipment, recruiting additional firefighters, and providing specialized training, among other improvements.
Highlighting the importance of long-term disaster preparedness, Senator Go also pointed to Republic Act No. 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act.
This law mandates the establishment of permanent, safe, and well-equipped evacuation centers across all cities and municipalities in the country. As the principal author and co-sponsor of the legislation, Senator Go emphasized how these centers will safeguard the dignity and well-being of disaster-affected communities while accelerating recovery efforts.
Meanwhile, aside from personally distributing assistance to fire victims, Senator Go also took time to speak with Rosalie Gregorio, a relative of Joel Gonzales Gregorio, a 41-year-old cancer patient suffering from Stage 3 lymphoma. Upon learning of Joel’s condition, his Malasakit Team promptly arranged for his transfer to Tondo Medical Center for the necessary hospital admission, medical check-up and medical assistance.
The team also coordinated with the Malasakit Center to fast-track medical aid for the patient’s assessment at the Emergency Room. Joel was immediately evaluated by an Internal Medicine doctor to determine if hospital admission was necessary.
Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops aiming to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
As of now, 167 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The Department of Health reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than 17 million Filipinos.
“Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit, anumang pagsubok ang ating haharapin sa susunod na mga araw, patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” Senator Go declared.
