As Typhoon Pepito (internationally named Man-Yi) wreaks havoc in the Philippines, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go is calling for the passage of key legislative measures to address the nation’s disaster preparedness and response gaps.
Highlighting the urgency of legislative measures like the Ligtas Pinoy Centers bill and the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR), Go emphasized the need for immediate action as the country faces increasingly frequent and intense typhoons.
“Ang dami nang nasalanta, ang dami nang nawalan ng tahanan. Kapag ganito, hindi na tayo pwedeng mag-antay pa. Kailangang kumilos tayo agad para sa mas maayos, mas malinis, at mas ligtas na evacuation centers sa bawat komunidad,” Go said.
Typhoon Pepito made landfall in Panganiban, Catanduanes, on November 17, bringing maximum sustained winds of 185 kph and triggering widespread evacuations. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reports that Typhoon Pepito, along with earlier storms such as Nika and Ofel, collectively affected over 295,576 families across multiple regions. While no fatalities were recorded, 11 individuals were injured, and thousands remain displaced.
In the weeks leading up to Pepito, Typhoons Kristine, Leon, and Marce devastated the country, with Kristine and Leon forcing the preemptive evacuation of over 168,000 individuals, impacting more than 9.6 million people. Tragically, these earlier storms claimed 162 lives, left 137 injured, and 22 remain missing. Meanwhile, Marce displaced over 110,841 families, adding to the extensive toll on communities nationwide.
As the principal author and co-sponsor of Senate Bill No. 2451 or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, Go noted that the measure recently passed its third and final reading in the Senate. If enacted, the law would mandate the establishment of permanent, fully equipped evacuation centers in localities nationwide.
“Bilang unang nag-file ng panukalang ito, nakita natin na hindi sapat ang pansamantalang ginagamit na mga basketball court, covered court, o mga eskwelahan. Hindi ito tugma sa pangangailangan ng ating mga evacuees, lalo na ang mga bata at matatanda,” Go explained.
The senator lamented the dire conditions evacuees endure in makeshift shelters, often characterized by overcrowding and poor sanitation.
“Nakalulungkot na makita na nagsisiksikan ang ating mga kababayan sa mga lugar na hindi akma bilang evacuation centers. Napababayaan tuloy ang kalusugan nila, pati na rin ang edukasyon ng mga bata dahil nagagamit ang eskwelahan,” he said.
Go emphasized that designated evacuation centers must be equipped with essential facilities such as clean sanitation, adequate sleeping arrangements, and emergency supplies. He also highlighted the need to mitigate health risks that commonly arise in evacuation scenarios.
“Dapat may maayos na comfort rooms, malinis na inumin, at sapat na pagkain. Huwag natin pahirapan ang ating mga kababayan. Sa gitna ng sakuna, dapat mas maramdaman nila ang malasakit mula sa pamahalaan,” he added.
In addition to permanent evacuation centers, Go also championed Senate Bill No. 188, which seeks to create the Department of Disaster Resilience. The proposed DDR would centralize and streamline disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts under one dedicated agency.
“Ang DDR ay isang mahalagang hakbang upang mas maging proactive ang ating gobyerno. Hindi pwedeng laging reactive lang. Kailangan nakahanda na bago pa man dumating ang bagyo o lindol,” Go explained.
He pointed out that the Philippines, situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire and in the path of typhoons, remains one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. The DDR, he argued, would ensure a more systematic and faster response to natural calamities, reducing casualties and accelerating recovery.
“Kapag may dedicated department na cabinet-level ang pamumuno, mas mabilis ang aksyon. Hindi lang ito council o task force. Totoo pong maaasikaso agad ang pangangailangan ng mga biktima,” he said.
Go urged the prioritization of these measures, emphasizing that the nation’s vulnerability to disasters requires immediate and decisive action.
“Hindi na dapat tayo maghintay ng panibagong trahedya para kumilos. Nakita na natin ang pinsala na dala ng mga nagdaang bagyo, hindi na dapat maulit pa ang ganitong kalagayan. Maging laging handa tayo!,” he stressed.
The senator reiterated his call to provide Filipinos with safer and more dignified options during calamities. “Kailangan ng ating mga kababayan ang agarang solusyon. Ito na ang pagkakataon para ipakita natin ang tunay na malasakit at aksyon,” Go concluded.