SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go urged authorities to raise awareness on disaster safety and preparedness as his team conducted a relief effort for fire and typhoon victims in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental.

In a video message, Go vowed to continue pushing for more safety measures to protect Filipinos in the event of a disaster, including his proposed Senate Bill No. 1228, which provides for the establishment of a mandatory evacuation center in every municipality, city, and province.

“Nakita naman natin ang matinding pangangailangan para sa mga istrukturang ito na magsisilbing panandaliang tahanan ng mga Pilipino sa tuwing may bagyo o anumang natural disaster. Huwag nating antayin na may panibagong sakuna pang dumating. Umaksyon na tayo dapat para maprotektahan lalo ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” said Go.

His team provided meals, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 129 victims at the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs Building in Barangay 40. They also provided each fire victim with financial assistance.

Selected victims received new pairs of shoes while some received bicycles so they can travel with ease while public transportation remains limited. Others received computer tablets to help students cope with the blended learning set-up implemented by schools.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go also reminded everyone to prioritize their health concerns and offered to help those seeking medical care. He encouraged them to seek aid from his office or avail further support from the government at the Malasakit Center at the J.R. Borja General Hospital or the Northern Mindanao Medical Center in the city.

The center is a one-stop shop which caters to patients seeking to avail medical assistance from the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

There are currently 143 Malasakit Centers nationwide and have benefited over three million Filipino patients, as of writing. The program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 114631 which Go principally authored and sponsored the Senate.

As part of a set of interventions by the government, personnel from the DSWD also provided separate financial assistance, as well as sleeping and hygiene kits, to each victim. The DOH handed out more vitamins and medicines and the Department of Agriculture gave away seedlings in separate distributions.

Moreover, the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, and National Housing Authority also conducted assessments of potential beneficiaries for their respective assistance programs.

The senator ended his message thanking Deputy Speaker 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, 1st District Representative Rolando Uy, Mayor Oscar Moreno, Vice Mayor Raineir Uy and other local officials for their fast response to the disasters.

As vice chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has supported various initiatives to improve the delivery of public services and spur development in Misamis Oriental. They include the construction of multi-purpose buildings and acquisition of an ambulance for the city government of Cagayan de Oro.

Other major initiatives include the rehabilitation of roads in Alubijid, Baliangao, Balingasag, Balingoan, Initao, Lagonglong, Laguindingan, Libertad, Lugait, Magsaysay, Manticao and El Salvador City; construction of water systems in Balingasag and Jasaan; construction of multi-purpose buildings in Initao, Magsaysay and Gingoog City; and construction of flood control structures in Magsaysay, Medina and Gingoog City.

He also supported the construction of a public market in Manticao; development of the public plaza in Lugait; and acquisition of ambulance units for the local governments of Balingoan, Kinoguitan, Libertad and Lugait.

The previous day, October 14, Go’s team also extended aid to hog farmers affected by African swine fever in Alubijid. All beneficiaries were divided into small batches to ensure all health and safety protocols were strictly observed throughout the activities.