PASAY CITY -- In line with his push for measures that aim to build safer and more resilient communities, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continued to respond to the needs of areas and communities affected by natural disasters and other crisis situations to help them build back better.
On Tuesday, November 9, Go's team organized a relief effort for 500 farmers whose livelihoods and daily lives were adversely affected by the Taal Volcano eruption.
“Mga kababayan ko, alam kong mahirap ang panahon ngayon. Nandito pa tayo sa gitna ng pandemya, tinamaan pa tayo ng pagputok ng bulkang Taal. Magtulungan lang po tayo,” Go said in his video message.
Go's team, in support of initiatives provided by the Department of Agriculture, conducted the relief operation at the Cavite State University-Silang Campus where necessary safety and health protocols were strictly observed to prevent the further spread of the virus.
The team gave essentials such as meals, masks and vitamins to each affected farmer. They also gave new pairs of shoes and bicycles to selected residents, as well as computer tablets for children's use in their blended learning activities.
A team from the Department of Agriculture then proceeded to extend assistance to help the farmers start anew through the provision of farming equipment, plant seeds, fertilizers and many others.
Florizel Hernandez, 58, expressed his gratitude towards Senator Go for being one of the first government leaders to visit Silang to check on their well-being and living conditions after the Taal erupted. He also mentioned the Go was instrumental in making sure that farmers in their community are given the necessary assistance to help them recover.
“Napakalaking pasasalamat namin sa intervention na binibigay ng ating pamahalaan sa aming magsasaka sapagkat nababawasan po ang paghihirap namin. Para po sa minamahal naming Senator Bong Go, mula po sa aming magsasaka, kami po ay lubusang nagpapasalamat sa inyo,” Hernandez said.
Knowing the vulnerability of the country when it comes to natural disasters and calamities, Go reiterated the importance of creating the Department of Disaster Resilience that would be primarily responsible for ensuring that communities are well-adapted, resilient, and safe from the harmful impact of climate change, especially those living in remote areas.
Under the proposed Senate Bill No. 205, otherwise known as the Department of Disaster Resilience Act, the establishment of DDR will unify and streamline all responsibilities related to disaster preparedness and response, functions that are presently scattered across various departments and offices.
“Ako po ay hindi titigil at hindi mawawalan ng pag-asa. Isa po sa na-file ko sa Senado ang Department of Disaster Resilience (bill) kasi kailangan po nating i-scale up po ang preparedness to resilience. So ibig sabihin, hindi lang nakahanda, talagang kaya na natin makatayo muli kapag tinamaan tayo ng bagyo o pagputok ng bulkan o earthquake,” said Go.
“Ang gusto po mangyari ng departamentong ito bago pa po dumating ang bagyo o ‘yung pagputok ng bulkan, meron na pong secretary-level na makikipag coordinate po sa local governments. Kung meron pong departamentong nakatutok po sa kanila, ito na po ‘yung makikipag-coordinate,” he added.
Continuing his message, Go urged residents to stay cooperative and disciplined as the fight to end the pandemic continues. As the Chair of Senate Committee on Health and Demography, the senator asked the public to help the government attain population protection and herd immunity by taking part in the national vaccination program.
“Nakikiusap po ako sa mga kababayan ko na magtiwala po kayo sa bakuna. Nakikita ko po kanina na marami pa pong takot magpabakuna, kaya andito po ako to encourage them na ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong bumalik sa normal na pamumuhay,” expressed Go.
“Natutuwa naman po ako na dumadami na po ang gustong magpabakuna kaya po hinihikayat ko ang ating mga local governments na i-deploy kaagad ang bakuna. Kapag dumating ang bakuna, iturok kaagad at huwag na patagalin,” he added.
Go also offered additional assistance and encouraged the residents to visit the Malasakit Centers at Southern Tagalog Regional Hospital in Bacoor City and General Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Hospital in Trece Martires City.
The center is a one-stop shop designed to provide convenient assistance to help particularly poor and indigent patients with their medical expenses.
