The Department of Trade and Industry, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the National Housing Authority also conducted assessments of displaced workers for their respective assistance programs.
Recognizing the natural disaster's catastrophic effects on the community, the Senator repeated his appeal for the creation of well-stocked and fully operational evacuation centers around the country for other disaster and calamity victims.
In December 2019, he filed Senate Bill No.1228 which provides for their construction in every province, city and municipality. The bill furnishes a minimum set of requirements for each center, such as its location, amenities, and operation, among others.
“When disaster strikes, Filipinos, especially the underprivileged, suffer the most. Minsan nagsisikipan sila sa covered court, lalo na kung hindi magagamit ang mga paaralan. Kaya panahon na talaga na magkaroon tayo ng dedicated evacuation center sa bawat bayan,” explained Go.
“Kailangan magpatayo tayo ng mga safe, permanent and dedicated evacuation centers na mayroong sapat na mga emergency packs, katulad ng blankets, tubig, gamot, at relief goods. Obligasyon ng gobyerno na palaging maging handa na tumulong sa oras ng sakuna,” he added.
Go went on to say that he would assist residents in need of medical attention. He urged them to go to the Malasakit Centers in the Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City or the Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo, or any of the 133 Malasakit Centers around the country to conveniently avail of medical assistance.
The centers are one-stop shops pioneered by Go that give quick and simple access to the DSWD's, Department of Health's, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation's, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office's medical assistance programs.
The Senator then praised local leaders, including Governor Arthur Defensor, Vice Governor Christine Garin, Mayor Carina Flores, and Vice Mayor Vicente Flores, for their quick response and collaboration during and after the catastrophe.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported the funding for the purchase of an ambulance in Oton. He also supported various infrastructure projects in Iloilo to improve the public service delivery.
Such projects include the construction and improvement of multi-purpose buildings in Brgy. Guzman-Jesena in Mandurriao and Brgy. Loboc in Lapuz; completion and rehabilitation of Barangay Health Stations at Brgy. Navais in Mandurriao, Brgy. South Fundidor in Molo, Brgy. Gustillo in La Paz, Brgy. Dungon B in Jaro I, Brgy. Quintin Salas in Jaro II, Brgy. Conception in City Proper, Brgy. San Isidro in Jaro, Brgy. Don Esteban in Lapuz, Brgy. Tabu, Brgy. Quintin Salas, and Brgy. Baldoza.
He also supported the completion of a two-storey Health Center at Brgy. Sto. Rosario-Duran in City Proper; completion of the Bo. Obrero Health Center; completion of the Calumpang Health Center; completion of Molo District Health Center; and the construction of Zone 7 Brgy. San Isidro Road. (OSBG)
