PASAY CITY -- As thousands of individuals were greatly affected after a recent typhoon hit the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go extended his assistance to the flood victims in the town of Kabasalan.
During a two-day relief operation conducted at Kabasalan Municipal Gymnasium from August 10 to 11, Senator Go reiterated, through his video message, his call for the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience. He said that while current mechanisms are in place, policy makers must be open to improving these further to ensure that the government becomes more responsive to the changing times.
“Isang aspeto na dapat natin mas maisaayos pa ay ang inter-agency coordination. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit matagal ko nang inirerekomenda at paulit-ulit ko nang sinasabi na dapat magkaroon ng isang departamento na may secretary-level na in-charge para mayroong timon na tagapamahala ng preparedness, response, and resilience measures pagdating sa ganitong mga krisis at sakuna,” he previously said.
In his final State of the Nation Address last July 26, President Rodrigo Duterte highly expressed his support for Senate Bill No. 205, otherwise known as the Department of Disaster Resilience Act of 2019, which remains to be a priority legislative measure of the administration. Filed by Go in 2019, the proposed measure seeks a more proactive government response in dealing with natural and human-induced disasters.
“Mayroon po akong nai-file sa Senado, Department of Disaster Resilience, Cabinet Secretary Level mag-aasikaso po sa ating mga kababayan bago dumating ang bagyo, preposition of goods at magko-coordinate kaagad sa mga LGUs,” Go shared.
He said that this measure shall provide a clearer chain of command, more responsive mechanisms and a more holistic, proactive approach in handling crisis situations in the country where natural disasters are already “normal occurrences.”
“Ilikas po ang mga kababayan natin sa ligtas na lugar. Pag-alis ng bagyo, restoration of normalcy po kaagad. Iyan po ang ninanais ng pagtatayo ng Department of Disaster Resilience,” he added.
To further mitigate the impacts of disasters on local communities, Go also renewed his commitment to push for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1228 which provides for the establishment of an evacuation center in every municipality, city and province.
"Dapat mayroon tayong mga safe, permanent and dedicated evacuation centers kung saan pwede makapagpahinga ang mga apektado na residente. Dapat may komportableng higaan, comfort rooms at maayos na sanitation para hindi sila magkasakit,” explained Go.
“Besides providing temporary shelter, they should also be able to cater to the victims’ basic needs. Mayroon dapat itong sapat na mga emergency packs, katulad ng blankets, tubig, at gamot na handa na tuwing may sakuna,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Go’s personnel grouped the 4,894 flood victims into smaller batches a day and implemented safety and health protocols as recommended by the government while they received relief items, such as meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins.
Some beneficiaries also got bicycles and new pairs of shoes that they can use. Others brought home computer tablets to help their children participate better during their classes under the blended learning approach implemented in schools.
Senator Go went on with his remarks as he commended several government agencies for providing more forms of assistance to help the flood victims recover.
Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial assistance and grocery packs, while staff from the Department of Agriculture handed out vegetable seeds.
