In line with his continuing efforts to support distressed communities nationwide, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally led the distribution activity for more than a thousand flood victims in Malalag, Davao del Sur over the weekend.
Stressing the need for a more disaster-resilient nation, Go highlighted the importance of mandatory evacuation centers in every city, municipality, and province nationwide.
In an ambush interview after a separate relief operation that he likewise personally led in neighboring Sta. Maria town in Davao Occidental on November 25, Go reiterated the need for the government to scale up its disaster preparedness efforts.
“Nag-file po ako ng Mandatory Evacuation Centers (Bill). Dapat meron tayong maayos na evacuation center para hindi na gamitin ang ating mga eskwelahan. Panahon na dapat tayo ay magkaroon ng maayos na evacuation center sa bawat probinsiya, siyudad o munisipyo. Dapat tayo maging ready at palakasin ang resiliency,” the senator said.
Senate Bill No. 1228 aims to improve disaster resilience measures and ensure that affected families have access to safe and comfortable shelters in times of emergencies.
Under the proposed bill, minimum requirements are set for every evacuation center. The construction and maintenance of the centers in all localities shall be implemented by a coordinated Department of Public Works and Highways, local government units concerned, and other line agencies.
Go and his staff distributed grocery packs, vitamins, masks, shirts, and meals to 2,500 flood victims. Go also gave away shoes, bicycles, cellular phones, watches, umbrellas, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select beneficiaries.
A team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also extended separate financial assistance to the affected families.
Meanwhile, Go likewise sent his outreach teams to the towns of Sulop and Kiblawan where they simultaneously provided similar assistance to 550 more flood victims.
Continuing his remarks, Go reminded the public to prioritize their health and well-being, especially following the detection of COVID-19 Omicron BQ.1 subvariant in the country.
“Huwag po tayong maging kumpiyansa. Hanggang andiyan pa po si COVID, nagmu-mutate po ito, karagdagang mga variant (at) di natin alam kung gaano kalakas ito (at) kung deadly ba ito. Paigtingin natin ang ating pagpapabakuna. Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” urged Go.
“Kung qualified na kayo sa booster, magpa-booster na po kayo. Kesa naman po masayang itong mga bakuna at mag-expire po. Gamitin natin ito. Ang baba ng ating booster vaccination rate sa ngayon, (nasa) 26% lang po. Marami pang hindi nagpapabakuna. Huwag ho kayong maging kumpiyansa. Kapag bakunado, mas protektado,” he added.
The senator then reminded the beneficiaries that there are nearby Malasakit Centers at Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital in Digos City and Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City if they need medical assistance from the government.
Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that brings together under one roof the agencies from which patients may seek medical assistance, namely, the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
To further improve the province’s healthcare system, Go, who is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also supported the establishment of two Super Health Centers in Matanao and Digos City.
Super Health Centers will offer basic health services, including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, 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, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients will be done.
“Mga kababayan, (bilang) Chair ng Committee on Health and Sports sa Senado, ang akin pong adbokasiya ay palakasin pa ang ating healthcare system. Mayroon tayong mga Malasakit Center (at) mayroon tayong Super Health Centers,” he cited.
Ending his message, Go thanked the local officials of Malalag for their immediate response and continued support to ensure that their community quickly recovers from the disaster amid the global health crisis.
To improve the delivery of public service in Malalag, Go, who is also Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the construction of a multipurpose building and a water system project.
Apart from the relief operation in Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental, Go, together with Sen. Robinhood Padilla, likewise visited Matanao, Davao del Sur where they inspected the town’s Super Health Center and provided assistance to its indigent on November 25.
