PASAY CITY -- As Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continues to push for measures to create more disaster-resilient communities, his team organized a relief effort for the 78 families who are recovering after a fire tore through Barangay Washington in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte last January 9.

In a video message on Friday, August 27, Go thanked the local officials and first responders for their assistance and support and assured the affected families that the Duterte Administration would provide all the aid they need to rebuild their homes and lives.

“Saksi ako sa hinagpis na nararamdaman ng mga biktima ng sunog. Kada buwan, ilang komunidad ang ating binibisita sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa para magbigay ng tulong. Huwag kayo mag-alala dahil magseserbisyo kami ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya,” said Go.

“Obligasyon ng gobyerno na maging handa sa oras ng sakuna. Kaya nag-file ako ng batas para ma-modernize ang Bureau of Fire Protection. Kasama na dito ang pinu-push kong mandatory evacuation center at rental subsidy bills para sa mga biktima ng kalamidad,” he added.

The Senator’s team provided each family with meals, financial assistance, food packs, vitamins, masks and face shields, at the Surigao City Cultural Center. The activity was held in batches to ensure all health and safety protocols against COVID-19 were strictly adhered to.

Selected beneficiaries received new pairs of shoes to replace those they lost while another was given a bicycle for their commuting needs. One family was provided a computer tablet which their children can use for their blended learning activities.

As part of the national government’s response to the incident, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed separate financial assistance. The National Housing Authority also assessed damaged houses for possible assistance under its Emergency Housing Assistance Program.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, on the other hand, committed to extend further aid based on their existing programs upon completing their assessments.

“Nagpapasalamat ako ng malaki kay Senator Bong Go at sa ating Pangulo Duterte dahil nakatanggap ako ng tulong. Salamat din kay (Mayor Ernesto Matugas, Jr.), sa DSWD at sa iba pang mga opisina ng gobyerno. Sana ay marami pa po kayong matulungan,” said Jamie Cordeta, a beneficiary.

Go introduced Senate Bill No. 1832 in 2019 which will fund the acquisition of new fire equipment, hiring of additional personnel and provision of specialized training for firefighters of the BFP. A bicameral conference committee report of the bill was ratified by the Senate on August 4 and is scheduled to be signed by the President soon.

Go also filed SBN 1228 which provides for the establishment of dedicated evacuation centers in every city, municipality and province and SBN 1227 which offers rental subsidies to families displaced by disasters so they can temporarily relocate.

Ending his remarks, the Senator advised those with health concerns to visit the Malasakit Center at the Caraga Regional Hospital in the said city through which they may conveniently obtain medical assistance from the government.

The center is a one-stop shop for the medical assistance programs offered by the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The program was institutionalized through the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 which Go also principally authored and sponsored.

He proceeded to recognize Mayor Matugas, Councilor Mario Gesta and Social Welfare Assistant Lalaine Pantilo for their cooperation and help. He vowed his continued support for the people of Surigao City, having previously extended aid to 1,596 residents who were impacted by Typhoon Auring last May 27.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported several infrastructure development initiatives in the province with the aim of providing greater access to economic opportunities and public services. He pushed for the construction of a flood mitigation structure along the Surigao River in Brgy. Trinidad in Surigao City as well as the construction of a farm-to-market road in Claver; improvement of Baoy River flood control in Gigaquit; rehabilitation of a multi-purpose building in Pilar, and many more. (OSBG)