PASAY CITY -- On Thursday, August 5, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s team distributed assistance to Typhoon Crising victims in Baganga, Davao Oriental. Amid various natural disasters and crisis situations hitting the country, Go remains determined to push for the establishment of the Department of Disaster Resilience.

Senate Bill No. 205, authored by Go, aims to create a focused department that will ensure a proactive approach to natural disasters. This is one of the priority measures that President Rodrigo Duterte mentioned in his last State of the Nation Address.

Under the proposed measure, DDR will develop a focused, streamlined, and more efficient way of dealing with disaster preparedness and response whose functions are presently scattered across various departments and offices.

“Bago dumating ang bagyo, preposition of goods, coordination with LGUs, dapat dalhin ang ating mga kababayan sa mga safe na lugar. At pag-alis ng bagyo, restoration of normalcy agad,” Go said.

“Rehabilitation, para makabalik agad sa normal na pamumuhay ang ating mga kababayan na tinamaan ng bagyo,” he added.

Go’s outreach team conducted their relief efforts at Brgy. Kinablangan Covered Court and implemented strict safety and health protocols as imposed by the government.

They divided the 81 typhoon victims, mostly composed of fisher folk, into smaller groups while providing grocery packs, meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins. Some beneficiaries were also given new pairs of shoes or bicycles.

As the Senator aspires to support more underprivileged students, selected recipients brought home computer tablets to help their children in their education.

Representatives from various government agencies were also present during the distribution as they also extended their assistance to help build back the community even at the height of the pandemic.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial assistance to the typhoon victims while the Department of Agriculture committed to giving 10 new boats to those whose boats were totally wrecked, and boat repair materials to those whose boats were partially damaged.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labor and Employment assessed individuals who can take part in their respective livelihood programs.

Furthermore, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the National Housing Authority evaluated potential beneficiaries for their respective scholarship and housing programs.

“Salamat talaga, Sir Bong Go, dahil mayroong mga tulong, pandagdag na rin yan sa aming pamumuhay. Dati ay nagbebenta ako pero noong nag-umpisa ang lockdown, na-discourage na ako dahil wala ng buyer, wala ng pumapasok na kita,” Evelyn Corpus, 57, shared in an interview.

The Senator, who is also the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, reached out to the beneficiaries with health concerns and advised them to visit the Malasakit Center located at Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center in Mati City to seek medical care.

Primarily authored and sponsored by Go, the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 aims to assist poor and indigent patients by creating convenient access to medical programs offered by DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Go also reminded the public to remain vigilant and adhere to necessary precautionary measures against COVID-19. He then reassured that the government continues to roll out vaccines to more far-flung communities to ensure that the country achieves population protection and herd immunity.

“Patuloy ang pagbakuna, pero ang pakiusap lang namin sa inyo ay mag-ingat at huwag magkumpyansa. Hindi gusto ng gobyerno na palagi ang pag-ECQ dahil sobrang hirap ng panahon ngayon, maraming apektado at marami ang nawalan ng trabaho,” Go expressed.

“Mga kababayan, disiplina at kooperasyon ang kailangan. Kung hindi kailangan ay 'wag muna lumabas ng pamamahay dahil delikado pa. Ang importante ay ating makamtan ang population protection at herd immunity para hindi na kumalat ang sakit na COVID-19,” he continued.

Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, continues to support infrastructure development in various parts of the country. For Baganga, Go supported the funding for the construction of access roads leading to Pilot’s View in Brgy. Salingcomot, the installation of a potable water system, construction of Binondo-Sitio Mantapay Road, and rehabilitation of other municipal roads.

Ending his message, Go lauded Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, Vice Governor Nino Sotero Uy, Mayor Arturo Monday, Vice Mayor Ramona Olea, and other local government leaders for making certain that necessary support is provided to their community especially during these challenging times.

“Mga kapwa kong taga-Mindanao, lalo na mga Dabawenyo, magtulungan lang po tayo. Nagpapasalamat kami ni Pangulong Duterte sa suporta ninyo. Hindi namin sasayangin ang oportunidad na ito na makapagserbisyo ng husto sa kapwa naming Pilipino,” Go assured. (OSBG)