SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go personally visited Biñan City in Laguna to immediately respond to the needs of communities affected by Typhoon Jolina.

Go, together with concerned government agencies, provided aid to 381 typhoon victims, consulted local leaders on how the national government can further support recovery efforts, and assured residents that the Duterte administration will continue to deliver public service amid the crisis.

“Hindi ko po matiis na nakaupo lang (sa opisina), nagpapalamig, tapos ‘yung mga kababayan mo rito naghihirap, tinatamaan ng bagyo, may COVID pa tayo. Basta kaya ng panahon ko at ng aking katawan, pinangako ko sa inyo, pupuntahan ko po kayo kahit saang sulok ng Pilipinas .

“Wala pang proklamasyon, pumunta po ako rito. Pagkatapos ng proklamasyon ko… pumunta po ako sa nasunugan sa Caloocan… Pumunta rin po ako rito sa Binan noon sa mga nasunugan. Dahil pangako ko pong babalikan at tutulungan ko kayo sa oras ng inyong pangangailangan,” Go said.

In his speech delivered at Alonte Sports Arena, the Senator also advocated for the creation of a department that would focus on addressing and mitigating the impacts of disasters. Among his priority bills is Senate Bill No. 205, or the Department of Disaster Resilience, that aims to improve and streamline the country’s disaster preparedness mechanisms.

“Huwag na nating antayin pa na panibagong bagyo o pagbaha na naman ang dumating sa buhay natin. Kailangan po magkaroon ng Cabinet Secretary-level na departamento para rito,” Go stressed.

“‘Yun na po ang makikipag-coordinate sa LGUs. Naka-preposition na po ‘yung mga goods, ilikas po ‘yung mga kababayan natin sa ligtas na lugar at pag-alis po ng bagyo ay nakatutok sa restoration of normalcy at rehabilitation efforts,” he continued.

“Kung mayroon na pong departamentong nakatutok, ‘yon na po ang makikipag-coordinate, tuluy-tuloy na po ang serbisyo ng gobyerno,” he added.

Go also reassured the beneficiaries that the Duterte administration will continue to support underprivileged communities to help them recover from disasters amid the ongoing pandemic.

“Pumunta po ako rito sa Biñan para sa mga natamaan ng bagyo… At huwag ho kayong magpasalamat sa amin ni Pangulong Duterte, kami po ang magpapasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan niyo po kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo po sa inyo .

“Sabi ko nga, trabaho po namin ‘yan. Pinasok namin ito. Obligasyon namin ang magserbisyo po sa inyong lahat,” he said.

Biñan City Mayor Atty. Arman Dimaguila shared his gratitude towards Senator Go for his efforts to help in any way he can to support communities in distress.

“Marami na akong inabutang opisyales sa national. Kalimitan, makikilala ka lang kapag pupunta rito. Kalimitan pagkatapos ng usapan, tapos na. Pero kay Senator Bong Go, ako ang napanood niya sa TV, siya ang tumawag, at nandirito na ang tulong niya para sa atin,” Dimaguila expressed.

“Senator Bong Go, ang Biñan ay susuporta sa iyo. Hindi dahil sa pinadala mo, hindi dahil sa tulong. Kaming mga taga-Biñan, hindi kami tumitingin sa materyal na bagay. Tumitingin kami sa pakikisama, at pagmamahal na tunay, at pagpapakita ng malasakit,” the Mayor continued.

Go acknowledged various officials for their efforts to help constituents including Gov. Ramil Hernandez, Rep. Len Alonte, Vice Gov. Karen Agapay; Vice Mayor Angelo Alonte; and other local and barangay officials, among others.

“Ako’y nagpapasalamat kay Senator Bong Go dahil isa siya sa mga lingkod bayan na tunay na tumutupad sa kanyang sinumpaang tungkulin para sa ating bayan,” Cong. Alonte attested while recalling the times when Go consistently responded to the various needs of the people of Laguna in the past.

Go’s outreach team enforced necessary health protocols while distributing grocery packs, meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins. There were also select beneficiaries who were provided shoes, bicycles, and computer tablets.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance and grocery packs.

The Department of Health supplied medicines, vitamins, and masks while the Department of Agriculture gave agricultural products to the beneficiaries.

Livelihood support will be given to qualified individuals who were assessed by the Department of Trade and Industry. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office delivered fresh vegetables to the typhoon victims and livelihood equipment for fisherfolks, such as boats and fishing nets.