SEN. Bong Go urged Filipinos to remain vigilant against fire hazards and strengthen household preparedness after a deadly fire in Pasay City displaced 221 families and left four people dead and four others injured.
Go visited the fire-hit communities in Barangay 106 and 107 on Monday, Aug. 24, and led his Malasakit Team in assisting families affected by the Aug. 21 blaze.
Go's team distributed financial assistance, grocery packs, snacks, vitamins, water containers, shirts, school supplies, and sports equipment, including basketballs, volleyballs and pickleballs.
Selected beneficiaries also received bicycles, mobile phones, watches and shoes.
Go called for greater public awareness of fire prevention, saying disaster preparedness should not depend solely on the emergency responders' capability and equipment.
“Preventing fires requires not only modern equipment and capable responders but also public education,” Go emphasized.
The senator is the principal author and co-sponsor of Republic Act (RA) 11589, or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act, which seeks to strengthen the BFP by acquiring modern firefighting equipment, increased manpower, and specialized training.
Go said modernization of the fire service must be matched by stronger community-level prevention efforts, particularly in densely populated areas where fires can spread rapidly from one structure to another.
He also principally authored and co-sponsored RA 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which provides for the establishment of permanent evacuation centers nationwide.
Go also asked concerned government agencies to coordinate their efforts so qualified fire victims can receive additional assistance as they rebuild their homes and livelihoods.
He thanked Rep. Toni Calixto, Pasay Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, Vice Mayor Mark Calixto, Barangay 106 Chairman Maricel de Leon, Barangay 107 Chairman Salvador Vargas, social welfare personnel, volunteers, and other community partners for helping the displaced families.
