PASAY CITY -- On Wednesday, October 20, the team of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go conducted a relief effort for a total of 31 families who were affected by recent natural disasters in Catarman, Northern Samar.

Go’s outreach team conducted the event at the municipal covered court of Catarman where they went on to group the beneficiaries into smaller batches and proceeded to hand out relief items, such as meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins to the families.

Some residents received new pairs of shoes and computer tablets while others brought home bicycles that they can use to easily travel to work or get daily essentials.

In his message to the victims, Go raised anew the need for the enactment of Senate Bill No. 205 that he filed in 2019, also known as the Disaster Resilience Act of 2019, which seeks the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience.

He said that the establishment of the DDR will ensure a proactive approach to natural disasters. Because the country’s geographical location exposes it to extreme weather disturbances, the Senator stressed that the Filipinos expect the government to pay utmost attention to its immediate response.

“Nag-file rin po ako sa Senado ng Department of Disaster Resilience (bill), departamentong Cabinet-secretary level, para bago pa dumating ang bagyo, mayroon ng coordination with local government units at makapaghanda ng pagkain. Kapag mayroong bagyo, makakapag-evacuate kaagad. Bago pa dumating ang bagyo, dapat madala kaagad sila sa mga evacuation centers para walang masaktan,” said Go.

“At kapag lumabas na ang bagyo, rehabilitation at recovery efforts naman. Returning back to normalcy kaagad ang layunin natin. More responsive services from relief to rebuilding operations ang ating layunin, less damages and casualties and faster recovery, kaya ko i-finile itong Department of Disaster Resilience,” he added.

During the event, the Department of Social Welfare and Development also gave financial assistance to each of the residents under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation Program.

Furthermore, personnel from the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority committed to provide livelihood support and scholarship grants, respectively, to qualified individuals.

Go’s staff implemented necessary health guidelines during the distribution activity to ensure the public’s safety against the threats of the coronavirus.

The senator, being the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, further offered assistance to those with health concerns and advised them to visit the Malasakit Center located at the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital in Catarman town where agencies, such as DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, are available to assist poor and indigent patients with their hospital bills by covering various medical fees and patient services.

“One-stop shop po ‘yan, nasa loob na po ng ospital ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno. Tutulungan po kayo hanggang maging zero balance ang inyong billing. Lapitan niyo lang po ang Malasakit Center, para po ‘yan sa Pilipino,” Go said.

Likewise, Go encouraged residents to participate in the vaccination program in order to help the government achieve population protection and eventually herd immunity. He then stressed that getting inoculated will not only safeguard them from the virus, but also contribute to the nation’s return to normalcy.

Go, who is also the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported several infrastructure development initiatives in the province to provide more economic opportunities to struggling communities. Among these are the reconstruction of the Catarman Public Market and the construction of drainage canal in the city.

He also supported the construction of a drainage canal, and construction of a multi-purpose building in Las Navas; improvement of the farm-to-market or local roads in Lavezares, Lopez de Vega, Pambujan, and Victoria; construction of a seawall from Barangay Lagundi to Brgy. Kinaguitman in Allen town; construction of road linkages in Catubig and Gamay, a public market circumferential road in San Jose, a drainage canal in Quirino, and footbridge in Biri.

Go then extended his gratitude towards local officials, including as Representatives Paul Daza, Governor Edwin Ongchuan, Vice Governor Gary Lavin, Mayor Francisco Rosales, Jr., Vice Mayor Charissa Rowena Bonsol, among others.

“Mga kababayan ko, nandirito lang po kami ni Pangulong Duterte na handang tumulong po sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya. Huwag ho kayong magpasalamat sa amin. Trabaho po namin ang magserbisyo po sa inyong lahat,” Go said.

“Kami po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan niyo po kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo po sa inyong lahat,” he ended. (OSBG)