Ang strengthened mechanisms for relief, recovery, rehab efforts amid proposed hike in calamity funds 

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go has expressed support for proposals to augment the national calamity fund this year in view of recent calamities that hit the country. In a statement, Go said that he has no objection to increasing calamity funds for 2023, saying that it is the government’s duty to immediately help those affected by various calamities so that they can get up again immediately.

“Susuportahan ko ang pagdagdag sa calamity funds for 2023. Wala akong pagtutol dyan dahil tungkulin natin na matulungan kaagad ang mga tinamaan ng iba’t ibang kalamidad para sila ay makabangon kaagad muli,” said Go.

The senator stressed, however, the need to ensure that the calamity fund is used immediately and appropriately. He added that emergency funds would be more efficiently and effectively utilized if there was a single department focused on managing programs when it comes to relief, recovery and rehabilitation efforts.

“Subalit ang mas mahalagang tanong ay paano mas masisiguro na magagamit agad at nang mas tama ang malaking pondong ito. Natuto na rin tayo sa naging karanasan natin noong pandemya at nakaraang mga kalamidad,” said Go.

“Bagama’t malaking tulong ang calamity funds, magiging mas mabilis at mas maayos sana ang paggamit nito kung may iisang departamento na naka-focus sa pamamahala ng mga programa pagdating sa relief, recovery and rehabilitation efforts,” he added.

Go then renewed his call for the passage of Senate Bill No. 188 or his proposed Department Disaster Resilience Act which aims to establish an agency that will be focused on developing and implementing holistic measures that would improve the government’s capability to efficiently respond to disaster-related incidents.

The DDR will bring together all essential functions and mandates currently scattered among various disaster-related agencies. Once established, it shall be primarily responsible for implementing programs, projects and activities that ensure communities are disaster-resilient, adaptive and safe.

“Kaya mahalaga na magkaroon sana tayo ng Department of Disaster Resilience headed by a Cabinet-level secretary,” reiterated Go.

“Kung maglalagay tayo ng mas malaking pondo, ikonsidera na natin na maglagay ng streamlined at mas empowered na governing body na magiging accountable sa paggamit ng pondong ito,” he added.

The senator stressed that it is time for the country to learn its lesson.

“Either we strengthen further the NDRRMC to help it carry out its mandate or we establish the DDR,” he maintained.

“We need a holistic approach in dealing with the more devastating effects of climate change, especially that the Philippines is considered as one of the most vulnerable in the world. So let us work together to provide a safer and more comfortable life for all,” Go concluded.

Meanwhile, Go made certain to check the situation of those adversely affected by the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng as he visited the province of Cavite and personally provided aid to typhoon victims in Bacoor City and Kawit on Friday.

Later that day, Go also personally led the relief operation for more disaster victims in Taguig City, assisting hundreds of fire victims there.

Go then reassured the typhoon victims that together with his fellow public servants, they remain committed to ensuring that the country builds back better from the calamity and other crisis situations.

“Huwag ho kayong mag-alala, mga kababayan ko, magtulungan lang tayo. Tandaan natin, ang gamit naman po nabibili natin. ‘Yung damit ninyong nababasa, napuputikan, nalalabhan po natin ‘yon. Ang gamit nabibili natin ‘yon. Ang pera kikitain natin ‘yon. Subalit ‘yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. Importante buhay po tayo. Pangalagaan po natin ang buhay at kalusugan ng bawat isa. A lost life is a lost life forever,” cited Go in his speech.

“Ako naman po sa aking maliit na pamamaraan, sa abot po ng aking makakaya tutulong po ako. Iyan naman po ang aking pangako sa inyo. Nabahaan, lindol, sunog (ay sisikapin kong makatulong),” he added.

Held at Maliksi Elementary School in Bacoor City and Tangulan Arena in Kawit, Senator Go and his team distributed grocery packs, vitamins, masks, meals, and shirts to a total of 1,049 typhoon victims.

To provide relief to the children who got sick due to the inclement weather, the team also provided them with cough and cold medicines.

Furthermore, they gave away cellular phones, shoes, umbrellas, bicycles, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select individuals.

“Gusto ko pong ipagpatuloy ‘yung kampanya ni (dating) Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte na labanan ang iligal na droga at kriminalidad sa pamamagitan ng pag-engganyo sa mga kabataan na maglaro na lang basketball, sa larangan ng palakasan. Get into sports, stay away from drugs,” Go encouraged.

Lastly, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance to help the typhoon victims recover faster.

The senator, as an adopted son of CALABARZON, likewise supported the establishment of eight Super Health Centers in the province, including in the cities of Bacoor, Dasmariñas, General Trias, and Imus as well as in Carmona, Kawit, Magallanes, and Tanza.

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.