Bong Go personally extends aid to fire victims in Quiapo, Manila: "Serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos"

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go personally visited Barangay 384 in Quiapo, Manila, on Sunday, June 8, to provide much-needed assistance to families affected by a massive fire that broke out on June 4. The blaze displaced 518 families or 1,439 individuals, leaving many without homes and basic necessities.

During the relief activity, Go and his Malasakit Team distributed financial assistance, grocery packs, food, water containers, vitamins, shirts, caps, basketballs, volleyballs, and other essential items to support the recovery of affected residents.

"Ang gamit ay nabibili, ang pera ay kikitain, subalit 'yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nakakabili ng buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Importante ay buhay tayo kaya pangalagaan natin ang buhay na ibinigay sa atin ng Panginoon," said Go, emphasizing the importance of safety and resilience.

As his birthday nears, Senator Go humbly shared that he never celebrated such occasions. Just like former president Rodrigo Duterte, Go said he chooses to instead spend his time with the people he serves and those who need service and compassion the most.

"Alam niyo, mahigit pa sa tatay ang turing ko sa kanya. Magkasama po kami sa nakaraang 25 years. Higit pa sa kalahati ng buhay ko, magkasama kami ni Tatay Digong since 1998.Namimiss ko na po siya. Sa totoo lang gusto ko rin po pumunta doon at bumisita sa kanya noon pa ngunit hindi pa po kami pinayagan na makabisita doon... Pero patuloy ang aming pananalangin," shared Go.

"Ang bilin niya sakin noon, 'Unahin mo ang pagta-trabaho at pagseserbisyo sa ating mga kababayan... Huwag mo pabayaan ang mga kababayan natin na nasunugan, nasalanta, yung mga pasyente na mahihirap.' Patuloy kong gagawin ang pagtulong sa ating mga kababayan dahil yan ang pinagbilin niya sa akin," he added.

In a touching moment, beneficiaries surprised Senator Go by singing him a heartfelt "Happy Birthday" during the event. Go expressed his gratitude and said that the genuine warmth and appreciation from the people were more than enough of a gift for him.

Meanwhile, Go also reaffirmed his legislative efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and fire response in the country. He highlighted Republic Act No. 11589, or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021, which he principally authored and co-sponsored. The law aims to modernize the Bureau of Fire Protection through better equipment, training, and hiring of more personnel.

"Pinapalakas natin ang kakayahan ng ating Bureau of Fire Protection para maprotektahan ang ating mga komunidad mula sa ganitong mga sakuna. Patuloy nating susuportahan ang kanilang modernisasyon para mas maging handa sila sa pagresponde," he explained.

In addition, Go underscored the importance of RA 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of permanent evacuation centers in all cities and municipalities to ensure safe, dignified shelter for disaster victims.

"Kailangan natin ng permanenteng evacuation centers sa bawat lugar para maprotektahan hindi lamang ang kaligtasan kundi pati na rin ang dignidad ng ating mga kababayan," he said.

Go also urged the public to stay vigilant and practice fire safety, noting, "Ingat po tayong lahat at patuloy nating pangalagaan ang ating kaligtasan at kalusugan."

Before concluding, Go assured the victims of his unwavering commitment to public service: "Ako ang inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go na patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aking makakaya. Ang aking sipag ang isa sa mga pwede kong i-alay sa kapwa natin Pilipino dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos."

Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, also took the opportunity to recognize and congratulate the Filipino athletes who recently brought pride to the nation. These include Carlos Yulo and Karl Eldrew Yulo for their medal wins at the 2025 Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jecheon, South Korea, and William Morrison III, Bernalyn Bejoy, David Paul Matibag, Clinton Bautista, Leonard Grospe, Dhem Monton, and Hussein Loraña for their outstanding performances in the 2025 Korea Open Athletics Meeting and the Taiwan Athletics Open.

Meanwhile, officials acknowledged during the activity were Mayor-elect Isko Moreno, Vice Mayor-elect Chi Atienza, and Barangay 384 Captain Omaiya Sharief, who worked closely with the senator and his Malasakit Team to ensure that affected residents received immediate assistance.