FOLLOWING renewed volcanic unrest from Mount Kanlaon on Negros Island, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged local officials across the country to prioritize the health, safety, and dignity of disaster evacuees—underscoring the urgency of fully implementing Republic Act No. 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which he principally authored and co-sponsored.
Speaking before barangay officials from Bulacan during the Liga ng mga Barangay – Bulacan Chapter Provincial Congress in Iloilo City on April 8, Senator Go reminded local leaders of their vital role in safeguarding vulnerable communities during calamities, especially in light of natural disasters such as the recent eruption.
“Meron lang po akong paalala sa inyo. ‘Yung Mount Kanlaon po, parang nag-aalburuto na naman po. Paalala ko lang po sa ating mga kababayan, of course sa ating mga barangay officials, magtulungan po tayo na ilikas po ‘yung mga kababayan natin sa ligtas na lugar at anong sinabi ng LGU, sumunod po tayo,” said Senator Go during his speech.
Mount Kanlaon erupted at 5:51 a.m. on April 8, producing a voluminous ash plume approximately 4,000 meters tall that drifted southwest. Pyroclastic density currents descended the southern slopes of the volcano, prompting evacuation orders and the suspension of classes in affected areas.
In a statement, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Director Teresito Bacolcol emphasized the importance of vigilance among residents. He noted that while the volcano remains under Alert Level 3, indicating a high level of volcanic unrest, there are currently no additional signs, such as increased volcanic earthquakes, that would necessitate raising the alert level.
Bacolcol cautioned, however, that “the possibility of a bigger eruption is always there,” urging communities to remain alert and avoid the six-kilometer danger zone around the volcano.
“Importante ang safety ng ating mga kababayan,” Senator Go emphasized.
As principal author and co-sponsor of the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, Senator Go stressed that the law’s objective is to ensure that every city and municipality in the country has a permanent, fully equipped evacuation center that provides dignified, safe, and sanitary shelter for displaced Filipinos.
“At ako naman po bilang isa sa mga nagsulong, principal author at co-sponsor ng Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act—ito po ‘yung mandatory evacuation center. Maglalagay po ng mga evacuation center sa buong Pilipinas para ready po parate ‘pag may puputok na bulkan… sunog,” he explained.
“Meron pong komportableng pagpapahingahan ang ating mga kababayan. ‘Yan po ating isinusulong at ‘yan po pagdating ng panahon sa inyong lugar din po sa Bulacan, magkakaroon rin po ng mga evacuation center para naman po merong maayos at komportable,” he added.
Republic Act No. 12076, signed into law on December 6, 2024, mandates the construction of resilient evacuation centers in every city and municipality, capable of withstanding typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other calamities. Senator Go highlighted that these facilities will be designed with essential amenities such as water supply, electricity, ventilation, emergency supplies, and accommodations for vulnerable populations including the elderly, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and children.
“Batas na po ‘yan, ibig sabihin priority po ‘yan ng gobyerno na ating isinusulong rin po,” he said, reaffirming that implementation of the measure is a matter of national urgency, especially in disaster-prone regions.
Reiterating his long-standing call for disaster resilience reforms, Senator Go urged fellow public servants to prioritize aid and services to poor and disaster-affected communities, echoing the principle behind his Malasakit brand of service: making government assistance accessible and immediate for the most disadvantaged.
“Mga kababayan ko, ingat tayo, magtulungan po tayo at sumunod tayo sa paalala po ng gobyerno. Importante ang safety ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.
Beyond evacuation centers, the senator also filed Senate Bill No. 192, which seeks to create a Rental Housing Subsidy Program for families displaced by natural or man-made disasters. If enacted, this bill would institutionalize temporary shelter assistance, giving victims the means to rebuild their lives or relocate to permanent homes while recovery efforts are underway.
Senator Go also continues to advocate for the passage of his filed SBN 188, which proposes the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR)—a dedicated agency that will unify and streamline the government’s disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.
Under this proposed measure, the DDR would focus on three core components: disaster risk reduction, emergency response coordination, and rebuilding communities with improved resilience standards.
“Ang ari-arian ay pwedeng maibalik pero ang buhay ay hindi na. Tandaan po natin, a lost life is a lost life forever,” Senator Go said, reminding his audience of the cost of inaction and the value of preemptive support structures.
As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Senator Go has consistently linked public health and disaster resilience, pointing out that natural calamities often aggravate already fragile healthcare conditions. His disaster resilience agenda, anchored in compassion and efficiency, reflects his broader legislative priority of protecting vulnerable Filipinos from both environmental and systemic risks.
“Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit, anumang pagsubok ang ating haharapin sa susunod na mga araw, patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” Senator Go ended, as he called for vigilance and solidarity in confronting the challenges posed by natural disasters and in ensuring that no Filipino is left behind.
