SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go once again demonstrated his commitment to disaster victims as his Malasakit Team provided necessary assistance to Typhoon Egay victims in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental on Friday, February 16. Earlier that week, Go’s team also assisted recovering communities in other towns such as Pontevedra and Don Salvador Benedicto.
In a video message, Senator Go expressed his concern for the well-being of recovering typhoon victims and reiterated the importance of building a more disaster-resilient nation. He highlighted the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate the effects of natural calamities and ensure the safety and security of all Filipinos.
In line with his advocacy for enhanced disaster preparedness, Senator Go renewed his call for the passage of Senate Bill No. 188, which seeks to establish the Department of Disaster Resilience. This proposed department aims to centralize and streamline the government’s efforts in disaster risk reduction and management, ensuring a coordinated and efficient response to emergencies.
“The creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience is crucial in our fight against the devastating impacts of natural disasters. By having a dedicated agency, we can focus our resources and efforts on strengthening our communities and making our nation more resilient to the challenges posed by climate change and other hazards,” Senator Go stated.
With the Philippines being prone to natural disasters, such as typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, Go added that the establishment of a dedicated department is seen as a vital step towards safeguarding the country’s future.
Held at the City Social Welfare and Development Office, Go’s Malasakit Team coordinated with Congressman Alfredo “Thirdy” Marañon III, Mayor Salvador “Bading” Escalante, and Vice Mayor Lilia Decolongon, among others, to provide assistance to 30 typhoon-affected individuals. They gave away grocery packs, snacks, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball.
Meanwhile, through Go’s initiative, the National Housing Authority extended emergency housing assistance to qualified beneficiaries to help them further rebuild.
“Sinikap din natin na mabigyan sila ng National Housing Authority ng ayuda pambili ng housing materials tulad ng pako, yero at iba pa upang maisaayos muli ang kanilang mga tirahan sa tulong ng EHAP program,” Go highlighted.
As part of his advocacy to strengthen the country’s health sector, Go, who is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, encouraged the public to seek the services of the Malasakit Center located at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City.
Go started the Malasakit Centers initiative in 2018 as former president Rodrigo Duterte’s Special Assistant. The program’s first center opened in Cebu City. It was later institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which was principally authored and sponsored by Go when he became senator in 2019. Since then, the Department of Health (DOH) has reported that the 159 Malasakit Centers established have provided assistance to approximately ten million underprivileged Filipinos nationwide.
Moreover, there are 31 Super Health Centers funded in the province alone, which the senator also advocated for. Through the collective efforts of the Department of Health (DOH), led by Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, local government units, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated under the DOH for the construction of over 700 Super Health Centers nationwide
Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance aims to deliver enhanced public service to the province as he supported the construction of a revetment, multi-purpose public facilities, and several road maintenance initiatives in Bacolod City; and the construction of a multi-purpose building and concreting of a local road in the town of Don Salvador Benedicto.
Other initiatives that Go pushed for, include the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Calatrava and Himamaylan City; road maintenance in Bago City; and the construction of a new infectious diseases wing at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City.
