ON Friday, June 24, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go reiterated the need to pass Senate Bill No. 205, or the proposed Disaster Resilience Act. The measure aims to establish a highly specialized agency that will be in charge of making sure that Filipino communities are adaptable, disaster-resistant, and safe.

In his video message during the relief activity for 284 recovering typhoon victims in Marikina City, Go appealed to his fellow lawmakers to provide support for the said measure once refiled in the next Congress as it aims to unify and streamline all responsibilities related to disaster preparedness and response.

“Bago pa dumating ang bagyo, mayroon na hong makikipag-coordinate sa LGUs, preposition of goods at ilikas po ang mga kababayan natin sa ligtas na lugar. At pag-alis ng bagyo, restoration of normalcy kaagad, maibalik kaagad sa normal ang pamumuhay ng mga kababayan natin. ‘Yan po ang layunin ng Department of Disaster Resilience,” Go explained.

“Madalas pong tamaan ng bagyo, lindol at iba pang kalamidad ang ating bansa. Kailangan na talaga nating i-scale up ang preparedness at resilience against disasters,” he added.

Held at the Convention Center in Brgy. Concepcion Dos, Go’s outreach team distributed meals and masks to the recovering victims of Typhoon Ulysses. In addition, they gave away bicycles, phablets and new pairs of shoes to select individuals.

Meanwhile, to help the residents recover faster, the National Housing Authority extended financial assistance to each affected household through its Emergency Housing Assistance Program.

As he continues to prioritize the safety of every Filipino in times of crises, Go appealed to the public to make health their top priority. He then urged those eligible to help the country attain population protection leading to herd immunity by participating in the national inoculation program.

The senator likewise appealed to the local officials to further strengthen the vaccination efforts in their community and make certain that their eligible constituents receive complete vaccine doses and booster shots against COVID-19.

“Itong mga bakuna na ito ay libre lang at pinaghirapan po ito ng gobyerno. Kaya nakikiusap po ako mga kababayan ko, mga residente ng Marikina City at mga opisyales nito, na patatagin niyo pa lalo ang pagbabakuna sa bawat komunidad diyan sa inyo,” he appealed.

“Huwag ho kayong matakot sa bakuna, mas matakot po kayo sa banta na dulot ng COVID-19. Hindi po natin nakikita itong kalaban na ito, kaya mas mabuti pa pong proteksyunan ninyo ang mga sarili sa paraan ng pagbabakuna at pagsunod sa health protocols,” he reminded.

Go, who heads the Senate Committee on Health, then offered additional assistance to those in need of medical care. He encouraged them to visit any of the 151 Malasakit Centers throughout the country, 31 of which are in Metro Manila including one at the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center (ARMMC) in the city.

The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 is just one of the many measures that Go authored and sponsored in the Senate to ensure that poor and indigent patients have convenient access to medical assistance programs by the government.

Concluding his remarks, Go expressed his gratitude towards the local leaders of Marikina City for ensuring that their constituents get the necessary government support especially during these trying times.

“Kailangan nating magtulungan, kailangan po nating magbayanihan, kailangan po natin magmalasakit sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Kung magagawa po natin ‘yan, malalampasan po natin itong pandemiyang ito bilang nagkakaisang mamamayang Pilipino,” he ended.

Last June 17, Go’s team also visited the city and provided immediate aid to 821 typhoon victims.