Notwithstanding the sudden heavy downpour, Senator Bong Go visited families affected by a fire incident in Barangay Culiat, Quezon City recently.
Go asked the government to prioritize the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 12076 or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which he also principally authored and co-sponsored.
The law mandates the establishment of safe and disaster-resilient evacuation centers in every municipality and city across the country to ensure that displaced families have access to these centers.
“Bigyang prayoridad and evacuation centers dahil batas naman po ito kesa nasasayang sa flood control.”
“Ako po ay nakikiusap sa mga kasamahan ko sa gobyerno. Bigyang prayoridad and evacuation centers dahil batas naman po ito kesa nasasayang sa flood control na ginagawang gatasan ng iilan po,” the veteran legislator said.
The seasoned lawmaker described the current plight of many evacuees: “Halimbawa ngayon, nasunugan. Wala kayong komportableng higaan. Minsan naantala ang (pasok sa) eskwelahan.”
The senator added that 60,000 evacuation centers could have been built with the same amount of money allotted for anomalous flood control projects.
“Alam ninyo, kung ang pondo po sa flood control ay ginamit po sa evacuation center, mayroon pong 60,000 evacuation centers ang pwedeng ipatayo sa buong Pilipinas,” he noted.
Apart from RA 12076, Go principally authored and co-sponsored RA 11589 or the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Modernization Act of 2021 equipping fire personnel to better handle fire incidents through sustained upgrades in equipment, training, and manpower.
“The Rental Housing Subsidy Program, through Senate Bill No. 415, would provide essential support for displaced families and informal settlers struggling to secure decent housing.”
In addition, Go is pushing for the establishment of a Rental Housing Subsidy Program, through Senate Bill No. 415 he filed at the start of the 20th Congress, that would provide essential support for displaced families and informal settlers struggling to secure decent housing.
He likewise put emphasis on the importance of life and bayanihan in recovering from adversity.
“Alam kong mahirap po ang masunugan. Parang nagsisimula muli. Pero huwag po kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Importante naman po buhay tayo. Magtulungan po tayo… Tandaan po natin, ang pera ay kikitain, pero ang perang kikitain, hindi po mabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever,” Go stressed.
He shared the importance of community solidarity during difficult times, “Importante buhay tayo. Magtulungan tayo. Kilala naman po ang Pilipino sa pagtutulungan.”
A relief operation was successfully conducted, in coordination with barangay officials led by Barangay Culiat Captain Bebang Bernardino, with 138 beneficiaries receiving financial assistance, vitamins, snacks, water containers, fans, shirts, basketballs, and volleyballs.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte was present earlier that day as well as other barangay officials, namely, Barangay Kagawads Alelia Bernardo, Diana Esteban, Ameerah Ibrahim, Marichu Montehermoso, Princess Zipaga, Judith Javines, and Jyammel Esguerra.
“Kahit saan parte ng Pilipinas, tutulong ako sa abot ng aking makakaya,” Go, who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need, concluded.
