PASAY CITY -- As Senator Christopher “Bong” Go remains committed to helping communities recover from natural calamities amid the national health crisis, he sent his team on Thursday, October 21, to hand out assistance to 336 beneficiaries hit by Typhoon Maring in Gattaran, Cagayan.

Go reiterated in his video message his call for the establishment of a unified department that will focus on disaster management and resilience efforts, especially considering that the country’s geographical location makes it prone to weather disturbances.

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 address 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 nandyan 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.

Senator Go’s team provided meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to the typhoon victims. Furthermore, they provided new shoes and bicycles to selected residents. They also gave away computer tablets for children’s blended learning activities.

Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development granted the beneficiaries with financial assistance to ensure their fast recovery from the damages caused by the calamity.

Personnel from the Department of Agriculture distributed livelihood grants under its Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita program while the Department of Trade and Industry gave similar livelihood support through its Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa program.

Go’s staff grouped the beneficiaries into batches and made sure that all health and safety protocols were strictly observed throughout the activity conducted at Gattaran Municipal Gymnasium.

Meanwhile, Go offered to help those seeking medical care as he advised patients to avail of medical assistance programs available in Malasakit Center located at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center in Tuguegarao City.

First established in 2018 in Cebu, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where Filipino patients may conveniently avail medical assistance from the concerned agencies, such as DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Continuing his message, Go encouraged the beneficiaries to continuously support the government’s inoculation efforts by participating in the national vaccination drive. He also urged them to always follow social distancing, frequent hand washing, and respiratory etiquette by wearing masks and face shields when in public so they can safeguard their health and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in their community.

“Mga kababayan, mag-ingat po tayo dahil kung tataas ang bilang ng mga kaso ay napipilitan ang gobyerno na mag-impose ng mahigpit na restrictions. Kailangan ng gobyerno ang kooperasyon at disiplina ng bawat isa. Kahit bakunado na kayo, marami pa ang hindi, kaya dapat protektahan din natin sila,” said Go.

Go went on to thank the local leaders of Gattaran for their efforts to keep their constituents safe through the past year. He then appealed to continue extending their support until their community fully recovers from the challenges brought by the pandemic.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Go has pushed for the funding of various infrastructure projects in Cagayan to boost economic growth and opportunities in the province, including 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.

On October 18, Senator Go personally visited Tuguegarao City, Buguey, and Santa Teresita to hand out similar assistance to more struggling residents. His team then conducted another series of relief efforts to thousands more in Aparri, Gonzaga, and Santa Ana from October 19 to 20. (OSBG)