Senator Bong Go (Photo courtesy of Office of Senator Bong Go)
MANILA – Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has promised to push the passage of three bills he filed three years ago to strengthen disaster management and response in the country in light of the Taal Volcano unrest.
"In times of crisis and disaster, evacuees should have a clean and decent place where they can rest before they can go back to their homes," Go said in a news release on Thursday.
In 2019, Go filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 205 seeking to create the Department of Disaster Resilience that will focus on the continuous development and growth of programs aimed at ensuring disaster resilience.
Under the proposed bill, a whole-of-government approach is necessary to foster collaboration among all government instrumentalities both at the national and local levels.
The department shall be the principal government institution responsible for ensuring safe adaptive, and disaster-resilient communities.
Go has also filed SBN 1227 establishing the rental housing subsidy program for the victims of natural disasters and calamities.
He also filed SBN 1228 in 2019 requiring all provinces, cities, and municipalities to establish their own evacuation centers.
"Hindi ako titigil sa pagsulong. Huwag na nating hintayin na may bagyo, lindol, o pagputok ng bulkan. Kung mayroong departamentong nakatutok, madali ang koordinasyon. Halimbawa, kung may sakuna, hindi mo na kailangan mag-antay ng ilang linggo. May validation, assessment, at binibigay na agad ang tulong (I will not stop pushing. Let's not wait for typhoons, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions. If we have a department focusing on these, coordination will be easy. For example, during a disaster, you won't need to wait for how many weeks. There will be validation, assessment, and immediate help will be provided)," Go said. (PNA)
