Senator Christopher "Bong" Go emphasized the importance of strengthening disaster resilience and rebuilding efforts, in line with his legislative efforts to enhance the country’s response to natural disasters.
In a message during his Malasakit Team’s relief activity for fire and flood victims at the Human Resource Development Function Hall inside the municipal hall on Wednesday, January 10, Go renewed his call for the passage of Senate Bill No. 188, which proposes the establishment of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR), an agency focused on collaborative strategy for handling disasters.
"Nag-file po ako sa Senado ng Department of Disaster Resilience. Ito pong departamentong ito kung saka-sakaling maisabatas, magkakaroon po ng cabinet secretary leve," the senator said.
Outlining the envisioned responsibilities of the DDR, Go described its extensive roles. "So ibig sabihin, ito na po'ng secretary na ito ang makikipag-coordinate bago dumating ang bagyo, preposition of goods, coordination with LGUs para ilikas po ang mga kababayan natin sa ligtas na lugar," he said.
The senator’s Malasakit Team distributed grocery packs, shirts, vitamins, masks, snacks, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 15 affected residents. There were also select recipients of a watch and a mobile phone.
Meanwhile, the National Housing Authority extended necessary housing assistance.
“Nakatanggap din ang mga kwalipikadong benepisyaryo ng hiwalay na tulong mula sa National Housing Authority sa ilalim ng programang ating isinulong noon para may pambili sila ng pako, yero, semento at iba pang materyales sa pagtatayong muli ng kanilang tahanan,” Go explained.
Go also promoted his brainchild, the Malasakit Centers program which has already helped more or less ten million Filipinos nationwide since its inception in 2018, according to the Department of Health.
RA 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored, seeks to make all government medical assistance programs more accessible by putting the relevant agencies under one roof. Currently, there are 159 Malasakit Centers in the country, including in South Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Koronadal City and Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital in General Santos City.
Go also mentioned that he continues to advocate for more health facilities in the country through the initiatives of building more Super Health Centers and Regional Specialty Centers nationwide.
The senator also aims to provide more accessible and specialized healthcare services to people in various regions, reflecting a dedication to improving overall health outcomes and addressing healthcare disparities by advocating for the construction of Super Health Centers and Regional Specialty Centers.
Services offered in Super Health Centers will include database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation center and telemedicine.
Meanwhile, RA 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which Go principally sponsored and one of the authors in the Senate, mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals.
Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance supported the construction of roads in Banga, Lake Sebu, Norala, Tantangan, and Surallah; the acquisition of a dump truck for the local government of Norala; construction of riverbank protection in Koronadal City and Tboli; installation of street lights in Koronadal City, Norala and Tupi; and the construction of a slaughterhouse in Tboli.
