PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged residents in flood-prone areas to to be always ready and alert as he renewed his commitment to push for Senate Bill No. 1228 during a relief effort for monsoon victims in Aleosan, North Cotabato on Friday, November 12.

Filed in 2019 by Go, the proposed bill provides for the establishment of an evacuation center in every municipality, city and province and outlines a minimum set of requirements therefor such as its location and amenities. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation.

“Obligasyon ng gobyerno na maging handa sa oras ng sakuna. Huwag nating antayin na may panibagong sakuna pang dumating. Umaksyon na tayo dapat para maprotektahan lalo ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” Go appealed in a video message.

“When disaster strikes, it is the poor who suffer the most. Kaya kailangan natin magpatayo ng evacuation centers na may basic facilities at sapat na emergency supplies, gaya ng tubig, pagkain at gamot,” he added.

His staff provided meals, food packs, vitamins and masks to a total of 29 monsoon-hit families at the Municipal Covered Court in Aleosan.

Personnel from the National Housing Authority handed out financial assistance in a separate distribution through its Emergency Housing Assistance Program.

Continuing his message, Go further reminded everyone to exercise diligence to reduce their likelihood of being exposed to the coronavirus. He especially called on the elderly and those with medical concerns to limit their contact with those outside their households to maintain a safe environment for themselves.

"Ginabalanse sa gobyerno ang tanan pero mas importante ang kinabuhi sa atong mga kaigsoonan. Amping mo pirme. Dili na nato kayanon magsara na pud ang mga negosyo, mutaas na pud ang kaso, mapuno na pud ang mga ospital, mubagsak ang atong health care system. Mao na ang atong ginalikayan. Palihug lang habang gapabakuna mo, ayaw kumpiyansa," continued Go.

(Trans.: “Binabalanse ng gobyerno ang lahat pero mas importante ang buhay ng ating mga kapatid. Mag-ingat palagi. Hindi natin kakayanin na magsarado na naman ang mga negosyo, mapuno na naman ang mga ospital at babagsak ang ating health care system. Iyan ang ating iniiwasan. Kaya habang nagpapabakuna kayo, huwag magkumpiyansa.”)

Go also offered medical assistance to any disaster victim suffering from injuries or illnesses. He advised them to visit the Malasakit Center at the Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Kidapawan City, where they can avail of further aid from relevant government agencies.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which provides convenient access to the medical assistance programs of the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. It seeks to reduce a patient’s hospital bill to the lowest possible amount by covering various medical services and expenses.

The senator went on to thank local officials and first responders for their quick response and support they extended to the victims.

He pledged his steadfast support for the people of Cotabato, having previously assisted 1,449 essential workers in Banisilan, Carmen, Kabacan and Tulunan from August 3 to 6.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported many infrastructure development initiatives to improve access to services and other socio-economic opportunities in the locality.

He supported the concreting of farm-to-market and other roads in Alamada, Banisilan, Libungan, Midsayap, President Roxas and Kidapawan City; construction of bridges in Arakan, Kabacan, Makilala, Tulunan and Kidapawan City; construction or rehabilitation of drainage canals in Kabacan and Pikit; and construction of potable water system facilities in Tulunan.

Other initiatives he supported include the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Arakan, Makilala, Tulunan and Kidapawan City; barangay halls in Matalam and Midsayap; a Liga office in Makilala; a slaughterhouse in Arakan; and a public market in Arakan. He also supported the improvement of a public market building in Pigcawayan, and the COVID-19 response and vaccination roll-out plan in Kidapawan City.

All activities were conducted in adherence with the health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

A day before, Go also extended his support to the workers who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Makilala, North Cotabato. (OSBG)