PASAY CITY -- Following his relief efforts in Aparri, Buguey, Tuguegarao City, and Santa Teresita, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go provided relief to more Typhoon Maring victims in Gonzaga and Santa Ana, Cagayan province on Wednesday, October 20.

In his video message, Go vowed to push for Senate Bill No. 1228 that aims to establish an evacuation center in every city, municipality and province. Filed in 2019, the proposed measure sets minimum requirements for every evacuation center, such as its location, amenities and operation, among others.

“When disaster strikes, it is the poor who suffer the most. Nagsisiksikan sila sa mga covered courts o paaralan. Kaya kailangan natin magpatayo ng dedicated evacuation centers na may basic facilities at sapat na emergency supplies, gaya ng tubig, relief goods at gamot. Obligasyon ng gobyerno na maging handa sa oras ng sakuna,” he explained.

Moreover, 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 aims to create 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.

Meanwhile, his team distributed meals, food packs, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 1,677 typhoon victims at the Gonzaga Municipal Gymnasium.

As part of the government’s response to disaster situations, representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial assistance in a separate distribution.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture will be providing livelihood support to qualified individuals through their Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa and Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita programs, respectively.

“Gusto ko ipaalam sa inyo na nandito kami at ang gobyerno na nagmamalasakit at nagseserbisyo sa inyo. Handa kaming tumulong, lalo na sa panahon ngayon na lahat ay naghihirap,” Go said.

Go also encouraged family members to look after their health and informed them that they may obtain further aid from the government at the Malasakit Center in Cagayan Valley Medical Center.

The Malasakit Centers Act mandates all hospitals run by the Department of Health and the Philippine General Hospital to establish their Malasakit Centers to assist poor and indigent patients lower their medical expenses.

“Kung kailangan n’yo po ng tulong sa Heart Center sa Maynila, magsabi lang ho kayo. Tutulungan ho namin kayo. Kami na ho ang sasagot sa inyong pagpapaospital kung kakailanganin pong dalahin sa Maynila,” expressed Go

Go also appealed to the beneficiaries to take part in the vaccination program as he mentioned that vaccination is the key for the country to return to normalcy.

The senator extended his support to the rehabilitation of a farm-to-market road in Gonzaga, and the regravelling of Pananacpan Road in Barangay Patunungan in Santa Ana as part of his priority as Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance to improve the delivery of public service in the said communities.

He also supported several road improvements in Baggao, Calayan, Enrile, Iguig, Lal-lo, Sta. Teresita, Tuao, and Tuguegarao City; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Aparri, and Sanchez-Mira; and installation of streetlights, and the acquisition of an ambulance unit for the local government of Camalaniugan.

Ending his message, Senator Go thanked the local officials for their quick response to support affected residents amid the national health crisis. (OSBG)