Signing of 2 significant laws welcomed
SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, a staunch advocate for disaster resilience, welcomed the signing of two significant laws aimed at strengthening the country’s response to calamities and ensuring swift recovery for affected Filipinos.
Signed on December 6 at Malacañang Palace during a ceremony which Go also attended, the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act (Republic Act No. 12076) and the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act (Republic Act No. 12077) highlight proactive approaches to protecting lives, alleviating hardships, and restoring normalcy in the wake of disasters.
“Ang pinakamahalaga pagkatapos ng sakuna ay maibalik agad ang normal na pamumuhay ng mga Pilipino. Hindi lang kaligtasan ang pinag-uusapan dito, kundi pati na rin ang kaginhawaan at dignidad ng bawat isa,” Go said.
Republic Act No. 12076: “An Act establishing evacuation centers for every city and municipality and appropriating funds therefor” or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, principally authored and co-sponsored by Go, mandates the creation of permanent, well-equipped evacuation centers nationwide. These centers will address long-standing issues with temporary shelters like schools and gymnasiums, which often disrupt education and create additional hardships for evacuees.
“Hindi na kailangang magsiksikan sa mga eskwelahan o covered courts na walang sapat na pasilidad. Kailangan natin ng evacuation centers na maayos, kumpleto, at kayang protektahan ang ating mga kababayan,” Go emphasized.
The new law ensures these centers will have proper sanitation facilities, sleeping quarters, emergency supplies, and special provisions for vulnerable sectors such as children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. Dedicated evacuation centers can also prevent the disruption of education and livelihoods, often caused by the use of schools as temporary shelters.
“Kapag ginamit ang mga eskwelahan bilang evacuation center, natitigil ang klase ng mga bata. Hindi lang mga evacuee ang apektado kundi pati ang buong komunidad. Kaya napakahalaga na magkaroon tayo ng sariling pasilidad para sa ganitong sitwasyon,” he explained.
Aside from the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, which Go co-authored and co-sponsored, provides financial relief to disaster-affected students. The law temporarily suspends student loan payments for those residing in areas declared under a State of Calamity or Emergency.
“Kapag may sakuna, napakahirap nang bumangon. Kaya malaking tulong ang moratorium na ito para mabigyan ng palugit at mabawasan ang pasanin ng ating mga estudyante at kanilang pamilya,” Go said.
This new law will defer payments for students residing in areas declared under a State of Calamity or Emergency. It will apply to loans for Higher Education and Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs, giving Filipino students much-needed breathing room to focus on their studies.
As chair of the Senate Youth Committee, the measure is part of Go’s broader push to protect the right of every Filipino youth to quality education, which he believes is a cornerstone of national recovery.
This measure ties directly into disaster resilience by easing the financial strain on families during crises, allowing them to focus on recovery without the added burden of loan payments.
Meanwhile, Go reiterated his push for the establishment of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) to centralize disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. Through Senate Bill No. 188, Go envisions a streamlined system to coordinate with local government units (LGUs) and ensure quicker interventions during calamities.
“Ang Department of Disaster Resilience ay para mas mabilis ang koordinasyon, mas maayos ang pagtugon, at mas mabilis ang pagbangon pagkatapos ng sakuna. Ito ang kailangan natin ngayon,” Go stressed.
With the signing of these two laws, Go’s disaster resilience crusade takes another step forward, focusing not just on immediate relief but on long-term recovery and preparedness to ensure no Filipino is left behind during times of crisis.
