Bong Go reiterates need for more proactive approach vs natural disasters; sends aid to Paeng-hit Cavite

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sends relief goods to cities and towns of Cavite province that were affected by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. Photo from Senator Go’s office

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has dispatched his team to deliver immediate assistance to typhoon victims in the cities of Bacoor and Cavite and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario – all in Cavite province – following the recent onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae).

Go also expressed sympathies to those who have lost their loved ones due to the calamity.

“Rest assured that we will do our part, to the best of our abilities, to provide support and help affected communities recover,” he said.

“I am continuously coordinating with our national agencies on ground and concerned local government units to assist them in every way we can. Our teams are also in other affected areas to help in the relief operations,” he added.

Go’s team distributed food packs and relief goods to 1,500 typhoon victims through their local government units at their respective municipal and city halls to ensure the efficient and orderly distributions. They also provided shirts, umbrellas, and basketballs.

Go assured the victims that he will continue assisting affected communities particularly in the relief, recovery and rehabilitation efforts.

“Tulad ng dati, sa abot po ng aking makakaya, sisikapin ko po na makatulong sa mga naapektuhan ng bagyo. Naiintindihan ko kung gaano kahirap mawalan ng tirahan at mga gamit. Pero huwag kayong mawawalan ng pag-asa dahil andito kami na handang tumulong sa inyo,” he said.

READ: Tragic Paeng combination: Nonstop rains, deforestation

He then reminded the beneficiaries to look after their health and encouraged them to avail of the services of any of the two Malasakit Centers in the province if they need assistance with their hospital expenses.

“Mga kababayan, magtulungan lang tayo. Ang gamit ay ating mabibili. Ang pera ay kikitain natin ‘yan, pero ang pera na ating kikitain, hindi natin mabibili ang buhay. Kaya lagi kong ipinapaalala sa mga nabahaan at nabiktima ng iba pang sakuna, ang importante ay buhay tayo,” he said.

“A lost life is a lost life forever. Pag-ingatan natin ang buhay at kalusugan ng bawat isa,” he added.

The Malasakit Centers in the province of Cavite are located at Southern Tagalog Regional Hospital in Bacoor City and General Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Hospital in Trece Martires City. To date, there are 152 Malasakit Centers nationwide. Go primarily authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

An adopted son of Calabarzon region, Go also supported the construction of Super Health Centers in Bacoor City, Carmona, Dasmariñas City, General Trias City, Kawit, Magallanes, Tanza, and Imus City.

Super Health Centers are medium versions of polyclinics and are bigger than rural health units, which offer basic services such as out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit, among others.

Meanwhile, Go renewed his call for a more proactive approach to addressing natural disasters. He once again pushed for the passage of his Senate Bill No. 188 which shall establish the Department of Disaster Resilience. The proposed department will be a highly specialized agency with a cabinet level secretary that will be tasked with ensuring adaptive, disaster-resilient and safe communities.

READ: State of calamity declared over Calabarzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, BARMM due to Paeng

“Alam naman po natin na napakadalas pong tamaan ng bagyo ang ating bansa. Hindi lamang po bagyo pati na rin po lindol, pagputok ng bulkan, at iba pang kalamidad. Kaya kailangan po talaga natin i-step up ang ating paghahanda laban sa mga nasabing kalamidad,” he said.

He also pushed for the passage of his Senate Bill No. 193, which aims to establish safe and clean evacuation centers in every city, province, and municipality nationwide.

“Napakalawak po ng pinsalang idinulot ng bagyong Paeng sa ating bansa at sa ating mga kababayan. Kaya gaya ng madalas kong sabihin noon pa man at hanggang ngayon, kailangan talagang maging mas handa ang ating bansa sa ganitong sitwasyon,” he said.

Go expressed his gratitude towards the local officials for looking after their constituents’ welfare especially amid the challenges confronting the country.

“Saludo ako sa mga kawani ng gobyerno na ginawa ang kanilang tungkulin sa panahon ng krisis at trahedya. Ngunit bilang mambabatas ay nais din nating paigtingin pa lalo ang mga mekanismo sa paghahanda, pagresponde, at pagbangon para mas maproteksyunan ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.

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