PASAY CITY -- The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go distributed assistance to 11,936 victims of Typhoon Odette in different barangays in Carmen, Bohol from February 10 to 12.

While complying with necessary health and safety protocols, Go’s team provided meals, food packs, and masks to the typhoon victims. The distribution activities were held at barangay courts throughout Carmen.

“Alam ko pong mahirap po ang panahon ngayon, nasa gitna tayo ng krisis dulot ng COVID-19. Kailangan pong magtulungan tayo, mag bayanihan po tayo, at mag malasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” Go advised as COVID-19 continues to threaten the lives of Filipinos.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go urged the recipients to continue complying with government protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country. He also urged those qualified to get their vaccines and booster shots as soon as possible to ensure that they are protected from the disease.

“Nasa datos naman po, ‘pag kayo po’y bakunado mas protektado po kayo sa pagkasakit ng COVID-19 o ito pong grabeng pagkasakit ng COVID-19 at maiwasan po ang pagkamatay ‘pag kayo po ay protektado. Ang bakuna lamang ang tanging susi o solusyon sa ngayon upang unti-unti tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” said Go.

In line with building a more resilient nation against natural disasters, Go reiterated his call for the passage of Senate Bill No. 205, a measure he filed in 2019 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.

The proposed measure seeks to create a focused department that will unify and streamline all responsibilities related to disaster preparedness and response, functions that are presently scattered across various departments and offices.

“Mayroon din po akong nai-file sa Senado, ito pong Department of Disaster Resilience. A Cabinet Secretary-level na departamento,” said Go.

“Bago pa dumating 'yung bagyo, makikipag-coordinate kaagad itong departamentong ito. Pre-position of goods at ilikas po ang ating mga kababayan sa ligtas na lugar bago dumating ang bagyo. At pag-alis ng bagyo, restoration of normalcy at rehabilitation effort sa mga lugar na tinamaan po ng bagyo at pagputok ng bulkan. Iyan po ang Disaster Resilience,” he pointed out.

SBN 205 is currently pending in the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation. Hearings were conducted on November 11, 2019 and February 2, 2021. A committee report is yet to be submitted to the plenary.

Aside from the said assistance, Go also provided computer tablets, pairs of shoes and bicycles to chosen recipients as public transportation remains limited due to the pandemic.

Personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed financial assistance to the victims while the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority profiled potential recipients for their respective programs.

Meanwhile, Go advised residents with health concerns to visit either Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital in Ubay or Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City where Malasakit Centers are available to provide them convenient access to medical assistance programs offered by the government.

“Mayroon na ho tayong 149 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong po sa inyo. Ang Malasakit Center po ay batas na, isinulong ko po noon bilang inyong Senador, pinirmahan ni Pangulong Duterte,” he told the beneficiaries.

According to the Senator, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where the DSWD, Department of Health, PhilHealth, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office are housed under one roof. These agencies’ existing programs will help cover medical expenses and have streamlined their processes through the unified Malasakit form.

In the end, the lawmaker expressed gratitude to local officials for their continued service amid the challenges posed by the pandemic.

“Kaunting tiis lang po at ingat tayo parati, at magdasal tayo parati. At tandaan niyo po, minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na puwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa Pilipino ay gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” said Go.

“Kami po ni Pangulong Duterte ay patuloy na magseserbisyo po sa inyong lahat. Dahil para sa amin po ang serbisyo sa tao, serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” he ended.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, the Senator also supports the economic development of the municipalities as he supported several infrastructure initiatives, such as the concreting of access road and improvement of the evacuation center in Carmen.

Other initiatives he supported in Bohol are the construction of a municipal slaughterhouse and improvement of waterworks system in Inabanga; the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Dauis, Loay, Alicia, Anda, Balilihan, Batuan, Danao, Dimiao, Duero, Garcia-Hernandez, Guindulman, Loon, Valencia and Tagbilaran City; improvement of evacuation centers in Panglao, Anda, Balilihan, Corella, Garcia-Hernandez and Valencia; improvement of public market and procurement of mini-dump truck in Clarin, among others. (OSBG)