Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally visited the fire-affected area in Barangay 164, Talipapa, Caloocan City, on Thursday, December 11, to meet residents displaced by the December 1 blaze that impacted hundreds of families. During the visit, he outlined the assistance being provided and discussed his ongoing efforts in the Senate to strengthen disaster preparedness and support mechanisms for communities affected by similar incidents.
“Alam ko, mahirap pong masunugan. Napakahirap pong masunugan. Pero tandaan n’yo po, ang gamit naman, malalabhan; damit natin, ‘pag nasunugan tayo, nadumihan. Ang gamit, nabibili. Ang pera, kikitain. Subalit ‘yung pera na kikitain hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Importante, buhay tayo. Magtulungan po tayo,” Go said.
He shared that he left the Senate earlier that day and went straight to the community because he could not ignore the needs of those suffering. “Ako naman po bilang inyong senador, kaya sabi ko, hindi ko matiis na nakaupo sa opisina habang kayo nangangailangan ng tulong. Galing pa po ako sa Senado kanina, tumuloy po ako rito para makatulong,” he said, as residents gathered inside the covered court of GSIS Hills Subdivision for the distribution of assistance.
Go’s interactions with residents were marked by warmth and humor, a dynamic that often characterizes his engagements on the ground. He repeatedly expressed gratitude to the people of Caloocan City for their trust in him, even as he reminded them that he was the one who owed them gratitude. “Unang-una, ‘wag po kayo magpasalamat sa akin… Ako ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil ginawa n’yo akong number one dito sa Caloocan (City). Ginawa n’yo pa akong number one sa buong Pilipinas,” he said.
During the activity, a total of 295 residents were given financial assistance, along with food packs, snacks, water containers, shirts, vitamins, and balls for each household. Select beneficiaries also received a bicycle, a cellphone, shoes, and a watch.
Throughout the activity, he acknowledged the local officials who assisted the affected families, including Congressman Oca Malapitan, City Mayor Along Malapitan, City Vice Mayor Karina Te, Barangay Chairperson Ferdinand Soledad, barangay kagawads Alfredo Dela Cruz, Virgilio Nicolas, Celindo Portajada, Ramon Lunas, and Mercedes Bacani, along with Sangguniang Kabataan members. He thanked them for the work they had done since the incident and described the effort as a shared undertaking rooted in community support.
As the relief distribution unfolded, Go shifted to a discussion on policy, drawing connections between the suffering experienced by the community and the systemic reforms he continues to advance in the Senate. He outlined his legislative record: he has authored 25 laws; principally sponsored 95 laws, including 93 dedicated to establishing and upgrading public hospitals; and co-authored and co-sponsored 194 laws.
He also cited several measures directly tied to disaster response, including Senate Bill No. 173 establishing the Department of Disaster Resilience, SBN 415 providing rental housing subsidies for informal settlers and disaster victims, and SBN 669 granting hazard pay for disaster personnel.
In addition, he emphasized that he is the principal author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 11589, the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act, which equips the BFP with modern tools, more personnel, and specialized training. He likewise reminded the crowd that he co-authored and co-sponsored RA 10277, which provides a moratorium on student loan payments during disasters and emergencies.
Go’s message eventually turned toward governance concerns, expressing sadness and frustration over reports of irregularities in public projects. He condemned corruption in strong terms and called for accountability. “Ako po ay kaisa ng bayan ng Pilipino. I am one with the Filipino people in this fight and crusade against corruption in government. Labanan po natin ang corruption sa gobyerno. Sabi ko nga, ‘yung sinayang nila sa flood control at sa mga ghost projects, sana pinambili nila ng pagkain, pinanggawa ng classroom, pinaggawa ng health center, ng mga hospital. Ang dami po sanang kababayan natin ang natulungan. ‘Wag po tayong pumayag na ilihis nila ang katotohanan. Managot po ang dapat managot. Ikulong po ang mga kurap.”
Before leaving, the senator delivered his signature message on compassion, purpose, and public service, a creed he often repeats during community visits and Senate speeches. “Mga kababayan ko, minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede natin gawin sa ating kapwa ay gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito.”
“Ako po ang inyong senador, Kuya Bong Go, patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos.” He ended with a heartfelt farewell to the people of Caloocan: “Mga taga-Caloocan City, mga kababayan ko, mahal na mahal na mahal ko po kayo lahat. Salamat,” concluded Go.
