PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go raised the need for the enactment of Senate Bill No. 1228, which provides for the establishment of a mandatory evacuation center in every municipality, city and province, as his team delivered relief to the victims of Typhoon Maring in Aparri, Cagayan on Tuesday, October 19.

Filed in 2019, Go’s proposed bill sets minimum requirements for every evacuation center, such as its location, amenities, and operation. The measure is currently pending in the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation.

“When disaster strikes, it is the poor who suffer the most. Nagsisikipan sila sa mga covered courts. Kaya kailangan natin magpatayo ng permanenteng evacuation centers na may basic facilities at sapat na emergency supplies, gaya ng tubig, pagkain at gamot,” he said in a video message.

“Obligasyon ng gobyerno na maging handa sa oras ng sakuna. Huwag nating antayin na may panibagong sakuna pang dumating. Umaksyon na tayo dapat para maprotektahan lalo ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” appealed Go.

His staff provided meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 2,000 typhoon victims in batches at the Aparri municipal hall under strict protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. They gave selected recipients shoes and bicycles for work, and computer tablets for children’s school activities.

In another distribution, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development handed out financial assistance as part of an ongoing effort by the government to assist communities in crisis situations. The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry also assessed potential beneficiaries for their assistance programs.

“Nakikitanim lang po kami sa bukid. Nung dumating ang bagyo, nalubog sa baha ang mga tinanim namin. Talagang hirap kami ngayon dahil hindi may pandemya at hindi kami makalabas para makapagtrabaho sa iba. Nananawagan ako kay Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte at kay Senator Bong Go na sana marami pa silang matulungan na mga nasalanta dito sa amin. Maraming salamat po!” said Joselito Rolluque, 47.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go offered further assistance to any poor and indigent patient. He advised them to seek medical assistance from the government through the Malasakit Center at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center in Tuguegarao City so they can get the care and medications they need without worrying about the expenses.

The Malasakit Center brings under one roof the agencies that offer medical assistance, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act. Go principally authored and sponsored the bill in the Senate prior to President Duterte signing it into law in 2019.

“Lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center at tutulungan kayo ng mga ahensya para wala na kayong babayaran sa ospital. Kung may balanseng naiwan, may pondong iniwan din si Pangulong Duterte para maging ‘zero balance’ ang billing niyo. Kung kailangan niyo ng tulong, gaya ng pamasahe, pwede din kayong lumapit sa DSWD dito,” explained Go.

The senator went on to commend various officials for their service and assistance to the affected families. Among these were 1st District Representative Ramon Nolasco Jr.; Governor Manuel Mamba; Mayor Bryan Chan; Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda; Councilors Ireneo Chan, Larry Chan, Elizabeth Alameda, Joselito Albanio, Darlene Legaspi,Cesar Mabbagu, Windell Urdas, and Ria Capiña; Association of Barangay Captains President Benigno Eslabon; and Sangguniang Kabataan Chair Joy Eslabon.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported many local infrastructure initiatives, such as the concreting of a farm-to-market road in Brgy. Paddaya and construction of a multi-purpose hall in Aparri.

He also supported the concreting of the roads in Amulung, Baggao, Calayan, Enrile, Gonzaga, Iguig, Santa Ana, Santa Teresita, Tuao, and Tuguegarao City; construction of a multi-purpose building in Sanchez-Mira; construction of a river control structure at the Zinundungan River; installation of streetlights in Camalaniugan; and upgrading of the CVMC.

He likewise committed to support the construction of the Peñablanca Super Health Center, Sta. Praxedes Super Health Center, and Sta. Teresita Super Health Center.

Despite filing his candidacy for vice president for the upcoming national elections, Go maintained that his focus remains on fulfilling his mandate as a senator and ensuring that no Filipino will be left behind towards recovery amid the ongoing health crisis.

On October 18, he personally led the distribution of relief to 600 typhoon victims in Buguey and Santa Teresita. Go also visited the CVMC where he provided aid to 2,560 health workers and 700 patients. (OSBG)