PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go appealed to local partners to strengthen their safety and disaster response during and after calamities as his team organized a relief operation in Libon, Albay on Saturday, October 23.

In a video message, Go reiterated his call for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1228, otherwise known as the Mandatory Evacuation Center Act in 2019, which aims to establish an evacuation center in every province, city, and municipality.

He asked the authorities to provide necessary health guidelines to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 in the evacuation centers, saying, “Malaki ang epekto ng malinis na kapaligiran para maiwasan ang pagkalat ng sakit. I encourage everyone to practice the safety and health precautions and clean their surroundings, not just to protect yourselves, but also your loved ones and communities.”

“Ngayong tag-ulan, apektado na naman ang mga mabababang lugar at marami ang biktima ng pagbaha. Para hindi na maulit pa, mag-focus muna tayo sa prevention. Lumikas tayo kung kinakailangan at makipag-coordinate sa inyong lokal na pamahalaan,” he continued.

Go’s personnel distributed meals, food packs, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 926 Typhoon Rolly victims at Libon Community College. They also gave selected residents computer tablets, new pairs of shoes, and bicycles.

As part of the government’s efforts for vulnerable communities in crisis situations, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance to the typhoon victims.

The senator then assured that his office is ready to help those with medical concerns and advised them to seek medical care at Bicol Regional Training Center in Legazpi City where there is a Malasakit Center available to assist in their medical expenses.

The center is a one-stop shop that brings together partnered agencies, including DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The Malasakit Centers program, which Go legislated in 2019, has assisted more than three million poor and indigent patients nationwide.

“Ang Malasakit Center po ay one-stop shop, nasa loob na ho ng hospital ‘yung apat na ahensya ng gobyerno---‘yung PhilHealth, PCSO, DOH, DSWD, tutulong po sa inyo hanggang maging zero balance po ang inyong billing,” Go said.

“Para po ‘yan sa mga poor and indigent patients at dapat po mayro’ng express lane para sa mga disabled at senior citizens sa mga Malasakit Center. Malasakit Center – para po ‘yan sa Pilipino,” he added.

To support the town’s infrastructure development, Senator Go, Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, supported the construction of several flood control structures in the municipality, and the construction of roads along Alongong and Tagbanac.

Go also supported the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Ligao City, Oas, and Polangui; rehabilitation of several roads in Camalig, Daraga, Jovellar, Legazpi City, Ligao City, Pio Duran, and Rapu-Rapu; and rehabilitation of flood control systems in Malilipot, Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Malinao, Manito, Oas, and Polangui.

The senator’s outreach team previously organized similar distribution activities to more typhoon victims in the towns of Bacacay, Malilipot, Malinao, and Tiwi. (OSBG)