SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go renewed his call for a holistic approach in building a more disaster-resilient nation as he works to get his proposed Disaster Resilience Act passed, which will allow the country to deal with calamities more effectively.

“Hindi ako titigil na isulong ang Department of Disaster Resilience. Itong departamentong ito, kagaya po ng Department of Migrant Workers, Cabinet secretary-level talaga dapat,” said Go in an ambush interview after personally aiding flood victims in Roxas City, Capiz on Friday, November 11.

“Kasi ‘yung respeto at coordination. Kasi kung wala tayong isang departamento para sa disaster, ang nangyayari puro tayo task force – kapag bagong administrasyon, maiiwan na po ‘yung task force,” he added.

Go explained that establishing a streamlined department that would deal with the impacts of natural disasters would make it possible for the government to improve its coordination and provide a more holistic approach to responding to such crisis situations.

“Kung may departamento, madali ‘yung turnover kahit na bago ang administrasyon kasi nandidiyan ang secretary, nandiyan lahat ng mga records, ‘yung rehabilitation, ‘yung coordination,” stressed Go.

“Halimbawa, bagsak ‘yung poste, nandiyan ‘yung coordination kaagad ng secretary with the DOE (Department of Energy), restoration kaagad… Kapag health naman, coordination kaagad sa mga sanitation, sa pangangailangan ng mga nagkakasakit. DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), coordination n’ya sa mga relief at ayuda. Coordination with DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) ‘yung mga equipment, buksan kaagad ‘yung mga daanan at clearing operations sa mga natumbang kahoy,” he explained.

Senate Bill No. 188 will establish the DDR to 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 to ensure that communities are disaster-resilient, adaptive and safe.

Moreover, the bill also provides for the establishment of a Humanitarian Assistance Action Center, a one-stop shop for the processing and release of goods, equipment and services, in order to guarantee the timely delivery of assistance to disaster-stricken areas.

It likewise provides for remedial measures for areas under a state of calamity, such as the imposition of price ceiling on basic necessities and prime commodities, programming or reprogramming of funds for the repair of public infrastructures, and grant of no-interest loans by lending institutions to vulnerable groups or individuals.

Finally, the measure establishes the National Disaster Operations Center and Alternative Command and Control Centers to monitor, manage and respond to disasters. There will also be a Disaster Resilience Research and Training Institute which will offer training and collect, manage and share information to improve the country’s resilience.

Go nevertheless voiced his support for the idea put forth by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to place the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council under the Office of the President, saying that this will make the agency a “more robust system.”

“Ako po ay natutuwa na nabanggit po ng ating Pangulo na ia-under sa Office of the President, not only under po sa Office of the President but to empower (the NDRRMC),” said Go.

“Dapat secretary-level at bigyan po ng authority para makabalik kaagad sa normal ang pamumuhay ng mga kababayan natin sa mga tinamaan po ng bagyo, restoration of normalcy. Iyon ang importante,” he concluded.

Aside from the DDR bill, Go also refiled SBN 1228 or the “Mandatory Evacuation Center Act”, which aims to establish safe, permanent, and dedicated evacuation centers in every city, province, and municipality in the country. It must also be fully-equipped to provide immediate aid to calamity and disaster victims, including fire victims.

On the same day, Go assisted the transport workers in the town of Balasan in Iloilo province and attended the opening and turnover of the Balasan Transport Terminal. After that, he carried out an inspection of the Estancia Public Market, a project that he had helped to fund. He also assisted individuals operating microbusinesses in Estancia.

The senator then aided those who were recovering from the effects of Typhoon Agaton in the town of Anilao and conducted an inspection of the Super Health Center there.