PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go appealed to the government to ensure disaster victims are not left behind in the COVID-19 response by making sure they have access to basic services, shelter and other related civic amenities, especially in areas where disasters frequently occur.

In a message at an activity in Cortes, Surigao del Sur on Wednesday, November 17, Go once again called for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1228 which provides for the establishment of a dedicated evacuation center in every municipality, city and province that can accommodate victims and meet their basic needs during emergencies.

“Dapat siguraduhin natin na ang mga pasilidad para sa evacuees ay COVID-ready at disaster resilient. Aksyunan natin ito. Huwag natin hintayin na mangyari ang ating kinakatakutan na sabay-sabay ang kalamidad at pagtaas ng COVID-19 cases,” he continued.

Go also reiterated his call for the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience saying that while current mechanisms are in place, policy makers must be open to improving these further to ensure that the government becomes more responsive to the changing times.

He earlier filed Senate Bill No. 205, which seeks to create a Department of Disaster Resilience that would be primarily responsible for ensuring that local communities are well-adapted, resilient and safe from the impacts of climate change.

“Isang aspeto na dapat natin mas maisaayos pa ay ang inter-agency coordination. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit matagal ko nang inirerekomenda at paulit-ulit ko nang sinasabi na dapat magkaroon ng isang departamento na may secretary-level na in-charge para mayroong timon na tagapamahala ng preparedness, response, and resilience measures pagdating sa ganitong mga krisis at sakuna,” he reiterated.

He said that this measure shall provide a clearer chain of command, more responsive mechanisms and a more holistic, proactive approach in handling crisis situations in the country where natural disasters are already considered as “normal occurrences.”

Meanwhile, Go’s staff provided meals, vitamins and masks to a total of 66 recovering victims of Typhoon Auring at the Brgy. Poblacion Gymnasium in Cortes. Some residents received new bicycles that can be used for transportation while others received computer tablets for children's use in their classes.

Personnel from the National Housing Authority also provided financial assistance under its Emergency Housing Assistance Program in a separate distribution.

In his message, Go offered further support to victims in need of medical care. He encouraged them to seek the services of the Malasakit Centers at the Lianga District Hospital and the Butuan Medical Center in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte where they may conveniently avail of medical assistance programs offered by the government.

The centers are one-stop shops which streamline the process of requesting medical assistance from relevant agencies, namely the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The Malasakit Centers program has benefited more than three million patients nationwide.

”Sa mga pasyente dito, kung may bill kayo, ilapit niyo lang ito sa Malasakit Center at tutulungan kayo nito makahingi ng tulong sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno. Hindi niyo na kailangang bumiyahe para pumila sa iba’t ibang opisina. Wala itong pinipili. Basta poor at indigent patient ka, qualified ka,” explained Go, who authored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

The senator ended his message thanking the local officials for their support to their affected constituents.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Go has supported numerous infrastructure development efforts in order to create more economic opportunities and improve the delivery of public services throughout the country especially in far flung areas.

In Cortes, he supported the construction of a water system project in Brgy. Madreliño, a multi-purpose hall, as well as the acquisition of an ambulance and multicabs for the barangays.

In Surigao del Sur, he supported the improvement of roads in Barobo, Cagwait, Carmen, Madrid, Marihatag, San Agustin, Tago and Tandag City; construction of an indigenous people’s and multi-purpose center in Hinapoyan; construction of a public market in Lanuza; and purchase of ambulances for Lianga and Lanuza, among others. (OSBG)