PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher "Bong" Go's office carried out a relief effort for recovering victims of natural disasters in Malinao, Albay on Wednesday, October 20. The senator assured Bikolanos that the Duterte administration is determined to help affected communities recover and build back better.

"Huwag kayong mag-atubiling lumapit sa amin dahil trabaho namin ang pagsilbihan kayo. Alam kong hirap kayo pero konting tiis pa po at mag-ingat tayo. Kami ni Pangulong [Rodrigo] Duterte, gagawin namin ang lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya para magserbisyo sa inyo,” Go said in a video message.

His team provided meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 1,013 typhoon victims. Beneficiaries were grouped into batches and the team made sure that all health and safety protocols were strictly observed throughout the activities.

In support of the relief effort, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also provided each beneficiary with financial assistance in a separate distribution.

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.

“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 said.

Go reiterated his call for the establishment of a unified department that will focus on disaster management and resilience efforts. In 2019, he filed Senate Bill No. 205, otherwise known as the Department of Disaster Resilience Act, which seeks to create a highly specialized agency with a clear unity of command that will be tasked with ensuring adaptive, disaster-resilient, and safe communities.

The department shall concentrate on three key result areas, namely: disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response, and recovery and building forward better.

“Ang Department of Disaster Resilience ang magko-coordinate sa national at local governments para bago dumating ang bagyo, naka-prepare na ang mga kakailanganin. Kapag nandiyan na ito, alam na kung saang ligtas na lugar dadalhin ang mga kababayan natin. Ang departamento rin ang mamumuno sa rehabilitation at recovery efforts. Back to normalcy agad ang target natin ‘pag may nasasalanta,” explained Go.

Meanwhile, Go offered to help those seeking to access vital medical services, such as surgery or chemotherapy. He advised patients to avail of assistance from the government through the Malasakit Center located at the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Legazpi City.

The center is a one-stop shop where indigent patients may conveniently avail of medical assistance from the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The Malasakit Centers program has benefited more than three million Filipinos nationwide since its launch in 2018.

In his message, the senator expressed his gratitude to the government officials of Malinao, Albay for responding to the needs of their constituents.

To protect their welfare and support the development of the Albay, Go has supported the funding for the improvement of Albay-CamSur Diversion Road (Oas Section); and the construction or improvement of the Barangays Maramba and Tapel seawalls, Calzada-Bongoran flood mitigation structure, Talongog-Busac flood controls, Catburawan River flood controls, and flood controls along Mayao River.

“Ngayong papalapit na naman ang tag-ulan, maraming mabababang lugar ang apektado. Para hindi na maulit pa, prevention muna tayo. Lumikas na kung kinakailangan at makipag-coordinate sa inyong lokal na pamahalaan,” continued Go.

“Nag-file ako ng panukalang batas na magtatatag ng Department of Disaster Resilience. Dalawang beses na kasi itong nabanggit ni Pangulong Duterte sa kanyang 2018 at 2019 SONA. Nasa committee level pa ito at umaasa ako na lahat ng mga kasamahan ko sa Senado ay masuportahan ito,” he said.

Meanwhile, Go explained that despite his vice presidential bid, he remains focused on his duties as a senator and public servant, especially in assisting the government and the general public in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Magkaisa po tayo para mas mabilis na malampasan ang krisis lalo na ang pandemyang ito bilang isang mas matatag na bansa. Bayanihan at bakuna muna bago ang pulitika,” Go said earlier. (OSBG)