PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged provincial and local partners to strengthen their safety and disaster response measures with the onset of the rainy season as his team conducted a relief operation in Allen and San Roque, Northern Samar from July 27 to 28.
In a video message, Go reminded residents of the increased health risks posed by the floods and asked authorities to provide the necessary guidelines to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 in the evacuation centers. He filed Senate Bill No. 1228 or the Mandatory Evacuation Center Act in 2019 which aims to establish an evacuation center in every local government.
“Ngayong tag-ulan, apektado na naman ang mga mabababang lugar at marami ang biktima ng pagbaha. Para hindi na maulit pa, mag-focus muna tayo sa prevention. Lumikas tayo kung kinakailangan at makipag-coordinate sa inyong lokal na pamahalaan,” began Go.
“Malaki ang epekto ng malinis na kapaligiran para maiwasan ang pagkalat ng sakit. I encourage everyone to practice the safety and health precautions and clean their surroundings, not just to protect yourselves, but also your loved ones and communities,” he continued.
Go’s personnel distributed meals, food packs, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 1,500 families at the San Roque covered court and Allen evacuation center. The beneficiaries included victims of Typhoon Auring, market vendors and members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association.
Select recipients were given new shoes while others were provided bicycles to help them in their daily commute amid the pandemic. Some also received computer tablets for their children to use in the blended learning set-up implemented by their schools.
As part of a set of government interventions for vulnerable communities, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also provided financial assistance. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority assessed prospective beneficiaries for their respective assistance programs.
“Nung kasagsagan ng COVID-19, nakaranas kami ng paghihirap kasi hindi makapagpasada ang aking asawa. Maraming hindi makapunta ng bayan dahil bawal. Naapektuhan talaga ‘yung hanapbuhay namin kaya naman gagamitin ko ‘yung natanggap ko na pera para lumago ang sari-sari store ko,” said Cristina Cerbito, 33, a resident of Barangay Pagsang-an.
“Kay President (Rodrigo Duterte), maraming salamat at nabigyan niyo kami ng ayuda kahit malayo kami. Nagpapasalamat din kami kay Senator Bong Go para sa kanyang malaking tulong,” she added.
In his message, the Senator offered assistance to those needing medical attention. He informed beneficiaries that they may also avail of medical assistance for their healthcare needs from the Malasakit Center at the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital in Catarman.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which houses the offices of the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Its primary aim is to help reduce a hospital bill to the lowest possible amount by covering various patient services and expenses, such as surgeries, laboratories and medicines.
