HELP CALAMITY VICTIMS REBUILD AND RECOVER — BONG GO PROVIDES MORE SUPPORT TO HUNDREDS OF TYPHOON EGAY VICTIMS IN NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

Known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate brand of public service, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally extended additional support to recovering Typhoon Egay victims in San Enrique, Negros Occidental, on Thursday, August 15 to help them rebuild their homes.

The 507 recovering families received essential aid from Go’s team such as food packs, snacks, vitamins, masks, shirts, basketballs, and volleyballs. Additionally, there were select recipients of shoes, a mobile phone, a bicycle, and a watch.

Through Senator Go’s initiative, in coordination with the local government and the National Housing Authority (NHA), they facilitated the provision of Emergency Housing Assistance for the qualified beneficiaries.

Go emphasized his support for programs that provides assistance for building materials to help poor families quickly rebuild and recover from the destruction of their homes. He continues to push for the implementation of such programs. ensuring that victims can reconstruct their homes and restore normalcy as swiftly as possible.

“Ngayon, mayroon po akong hiwalay na tulong para sa inyo. Mayroon rin kayong matatanggap na pambili ng housing materials na isinulong natin noon pa,” he said.

“Nandirito rin ang ating NHA para sa Emergency Housing Assistance Program o EHAP. Bibigyan kayo ng pambili ng housing materials tulad ng pako, yero at iba pa. Ito ‘yung programa na matagal ko nang isinulong para patuloy na matulungan ang mga nasunugan, binagyo, nabahaan, na nasiraan ng mga bahay para makapagtayo ulit at makabangon muli,” he explained.

Senator Go expressed his concern for the well-being of recovering typhoon victims and reiterated the importance of building a more disaster-resilient nation. He highlighted the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate the effects of natural calamities and ensure the safety and security of communities.

In line with his advocacy for enhanced disaster preparedness, Senator Go renewed his call for the passage of his filed Senate Bill No. 188, which seeks to establish the Department of Disaster Resilience. This proposed department aims to centralize and streamline the government’s efforts in disaster risk reduction and management, ensuring a coordinated and efficient response to emergencies if enacted into law.

“The creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience is crucial in our fight against the devastating impacts of natural disasters. By having a dedicated agency, we can focus our resources and efforts on strengthening our communities and making our nation more resilient to the challenges posed by climate change and other hazards,” Senator Go stated.

Meanwhile, Go underlined SBN 2451, also known as the Ligtas Pinoy Centers bill, which he co-sponsored and is one of its authors. This proposed legislation aims to establish permanent and fully equipped mandatory evacuation centers nationwide.

Apart from the support given, Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered further assistance to those who may need medical assistance. In Negros Occidental, Malasakit Center is located in Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City.

A one-stop shop, the Malasakit Center provides poor and indigent patients convenient access to medical assistance programs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

Currently, there are already 166 Malasakit Centers operational nationwide, ready to assist patients’ medical expenses. The Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more or less ten million Filipinos according to the data from DOH.

Moreover, Go expressed his appreciation to his fellow public servants, including Congresswoman Juliet Ferrer, Governor Eugenio Lacson, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, Mayor Jilson Tubillara, and Vice Mayor Carlo Raymundo Magno, among others, for their commitment in bringing government services closer to the people.

Mayor Tubillara then thanked the Senator for his and unwavering support to Negros Occidental, particularly in San Enrique saying, “Maraming salamat, Senator Bong Go dahil kahit gaano ka busy ang inyong schedule at pupunta pa kayo ng Iloilo, inuna nyo po kami dito sa San Enrique at nagpapatunay ito ng inyong serbisyo at malasakit.”

As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported various projects in Negros Occidental, particularly in San Enrique, including the Section 1 of Guimaras Strait project and the construction of the Super Health Center.

“Ilapit natin ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa ating mga kababayan na higit na nangangailangan. Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” underscored Go.

On the same day, Go also visited Estancia in Iloilo to inspect a Super Health Center and a new seafood market which he both supported and advocated for. He also provided support to market vendors, tricycle drivers, persons with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, farmers, senior citizens, and indigents in need of medical support.