Sen. Go brings food, visits evacuees in Malilipot, Albay

By Lizel S. Macatangay

AMID the continued state of unrest showed by Mayon Volcano in Albay, Senator Christopher Go managed to take some efforts to personally deliver packets of relief goods to affected families living in Malilipot town in the province of Albay on Thursday, June 22, this year.

On the same day, Go also visited Tabaco City to extend assistance to the evacuees there. He also conducted an inspection of the Tabaco City Super Health Center located in a resettlement area constructed during the incumbency of President Rodrigo Duterte for typhoon victims.

Aside from the assistance he extended, the senator made an assurance before the locals in the area that he will continue to push for a more comprehensive approach to disaster response and management. The senator was referring to the Senate Bill No. 193, or the proposed Mandatory Evacuation Center Act that he endorsed in the Senate. The bill seeks to ensure the availability of permanent, safe and well-equipped evacuation centers in every city, municipality, and province across the country.

“Mayroon po akong nai-file sa Senado, ito pong Senate Bill 193, nasa Committee Level na po ito. Ito pong paglalagay ng mandatory evacuation centers sa mga munisipyo, siyudad, at probinsya. Alam n’yo, napapanahon na po na magkaroon tayo ng mga maayos na evacuation centers. Hindi lang po tuwing puputok ang bulkan, kundi bagyo, sunog, lindol o ano pa mang sakuna,” Go said in an ambush interview after his visit to Tabaco City earlier that day.

SEN. Go comforts an old man in an

evacuation center in Albay

“Alam n’yo, nagagamit ang eskwelahan, nagagamit ang gym, naantala ‘yung pag-aaral ng bata at napapanahon na mayro’ng maayos at malinis na evacuation center para hindi po magkasakit ang mga bata… Napakaimportante po n’yan. Sanitation, higaan, at maayos na pasilidad na dapat naman ay ibigay natin sa Pilipino lalung-lalo na po sa mahihirap. Kaya po ako nag-file nitong Senate Bill 193 at hindi po ako nawawalan ng pag-asa na dinggin po tayo ng mga kasamahan natin sa Kongreso na maisakatuparan itong mandatory evacuation center sa bawat probinsya, syudad, at munisipyo,” he stressed.

In his effort to improve the country’s disaster response capabilities, Senator Go said that he is also pursuing for the establishment of a government entity to be named Department of Disaster Resilience.

According to him, the proposed department would serve as the central authority responsible for disaster risk reduction, preparedness, response, and recovery. It would coordinate efforts between different agencies, streamline disaster-related policies, and ensure the efficient allocation of resources during crises.

Go said that once the SBN 188 is enacted, the Cabinet secretary-level department shall concentrate on three significant areas: the disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response, and recovery and building forward better.

“Sa patuloy na pag-aalboroto ng Mt. Mayon, alam n’yo ang Pilipinas po ay nasa Pacific Ring of Fire at apektado ng lumalalang climate change. Napapanahon na po na magkaroon tayo ng isang Department of Disaster Resilience. A Cabinet-level (department) po. Halimbawa, bago pumutok ang Mayon, mayro’ng Cabinet secretary na pupunta po dito, mayroon silang regional office, makikipag-coordinate sa LGUs, makikipag-coordinate kaagad sa DSWD, makikipag-coordinate agad sa AFP, sa Coast Guard para bago dumating ang bagyo, bago pumutok (ang bulkan), mailikas na agad ang apektado,” the lawmaker explained.

“Yung magpapagitna at titimon sa lahat ng government agency at pag-alis ng bagyo, o pagputok ng bulkan, restoration of normalcy kaagad, rehabilitation efforts agad. Hindi puro task force. Kapag task force, tapos bago ang administrasyon, bagong tao na naman po. Pero kung nandiyan ang departamento, tuluy-tuloy po ‘yan,” he added.

Go visited the town of Malilipot along with Municipal Mayor Cenon Volante and other key officials.

In his message, Go recognized the efforts of Congressman Edcel Lagman, Governor Edcel Greco “Grex” Lagman, and Vice Governor Glenda Ong-Bongao, for always have the time to look out for their constituents.

Go was also joined by Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman-Luistro, Vice Mayor Nestor San Pablo, Board Members Victor Ziga Jr., Rey Bragais, Dante Arandia and other officials during his visit to Albay that day.

In Malilipot, the senator and his team assisted 221 affected households by distributing grocery packs, masks, vitamins, and snacks. The senator also provided select beneficiaries with shirts, cellular phones, shoes, watches, bicycles, and balls for basketball and volleyball.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended financial assistance to those affected to help with their daily necessities.

“Makatulong po sa inyo, makatulong po sa inyong pasyente, makatulong po sa mga proyekto na makakapagpaunlad ng inyong bayan, at makapag-iwan po ng kaunting ngiti sa panahon ng inyong pagdadalamhati. Nawawala po ang aking pagod sa tuwing nakikita ko kayong masaya ngayong araw na ito,” he added.