PASAY CITY -- The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Tuesday, October 26, provided assistance to 968 recovering victims of Typhoons Auring and Vicky in Loreto and La Paz, Agusan del Sur.

In his video message to the victims, Go expressed his sympathy to those who are still recovering from the recent disaster while in the middle of a pandemic, and encouraged them not to lose hope and continue to embody the spirit of bayanihan so their communities can recover faster.

“Marami pong nawalan ng trabaho, marami pong nagsara na negosyo, marami pong apektado ngunit kailangan muna nating magtulungan po,” acknowledged Go.

“Mga kababayan ko, kaunting tiis lang po. Malalampasan din po natin ito kapag nagtulungan at nagmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” he added.

Go also reassured the people that he and his fellow lawmakers will continue to push for the enactment of Senate Bill No. 205, otherwise known as the Department of Disaster Resilience Act of 2019.

The proposed law aims to provide a much faster and efficient government response to calamities by putting together concerned agencies under a single department. Go emphasized the need to establish a department that will focus on all disaster-related concerns, especially considering that the country is prone to typhoons and other natural calamities.

“Ito pong departamentong ito ang makikipag-coordinate sa LGUs. Bago dumating ang bagyo, naka preposition na po ang goods, coordination with LGUs, ilikas po ang mga kababayan natin sa ligtas na lugar at pag-alis po ng bagyo, may efforts to restore to normalcy and rehabilitate communities kaagad sa mga tinamaan,” Go explained.

Go also said he remains committed to support the country's return to normalcy as he appealed to the public to remain vigilant and supportive of the government's inoculation efforts by participating in the national vaccination program.

“Magtiwala lang ho kayo sa bakuna. Ang bakuna po ang susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay. Magtiwala lang ho kayo sa gobyerno, mga kababayan ko,” he continued.

The residents were given aid in the distribution activities held at the La Paz Municipal Gymnasium and Loreto Municipal Covered Court. Go’s team led the distribution of meals, food packs, masks, face shields, medicine packs and vitamins to the typhoon victims. The activity was conducted in in strict compliance with health protocols put in place by the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Aside from the said assistance, Go also gave away bicycles to chosen residents as public transportation remains limited due to the pandemic. He also gave away pairs of shoes and computer tablets for children's use under the blended learning approach being implemented in schools.

The senator also advised them that they may conveniently seek further aid from government through the Malasakit Centers at the Butuan Medical Center in Butuan City and at the neighboring Compostela Valley Provincial Hospital in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro.

Meanwhile, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed financial assistance to the typhoon victims. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority also assessed potential beneficiaries for their various programs.

Additionally, the Department of Agriculture distributed seedlings while the Department of Labor and Employment also provided beneficiaries assistance through their livelihood program for displaced or disadvantaged workers.

Go also took the opportunity to thank local government officials for their service to their constituents.

“Kaunting tiis lang po, alam kong mahirap ang panahon ngayon at nandito pa tayo sa pandemya at mayroon pa ngayong bagyo at pagbaha na dumaan diyan sa inyong lugar,” said Go.

“Magtulungan lang tayo at alam kong hirap kayo, kami rin po ay hirap din pero kayo po ang nagbibigay ng lakas sa amin ni Presidente Duterte para magserbisyo pa at malampasan natin ito, kung magtutulungan at magkakaisa tayong Pilipino,” he ended.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Go has supported numerous infrastructure projects to help boost development and economic opportunities in Agusan del Sur. Among these is the construction of local roads, multi-purpose buildings, and evacuation centers, among others, across the province.

Other projects he supported include the construction of a new public market and slaughterhouse in Bunawan; development of the Sibagat public and acquisition of ambulances for the local governments of La Paz and San Luis; and acquisition of dump trucks for the local governments of San Francisco and San Luis. (OSBG)