Senator Bong Go extended assistance to families recovering from a fire in Barangay Yapak, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, as he renewed his call for stronger disaster preparedness, modernized fire response and adequate temporary shelter for Filipinos displaced by calamities.
Go’s Malasakit team conducted the relief activity for residents affected by the September 1 fire, providing immediate support as families continued working to rebuild their homes and recover from the incident.
“’Yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nakakabili ng buhay.”
“Ang gamit ay nabibili, ang pera ay kikitain, subalit ’yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nakakabili ng buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever,” the veteran legislator said during an earlier fire-relief activity.
During the Boracay activity, assistance was extended to 65 affected families from Barangay Yapak.
Each family was provided financial assistance, fire-relief packs, a water container, snacks, shirts, vitamins, a pen, and either a basketball or volleyball. Select beneficiaries also received shoes and a cellphone through a raffle.
The seasoned lawmaker has supported several laws and legislative proposals aimed at strengthening disaster response and providing safer shelter to displaced families.
The senator is the principal author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of permanent evacuation centers in cities and municipalities. Under the law, the NDRRMC determines priority areas, the Department of Public Works and Highways undertakes construction, and LGUs operate the facilities.
“Disaster victims should no longer have to depend indefinitely on makeshift evacuation sites or facilities not designed for prolonged accommodation.”
He has argued that disaster victims should no longer have to depend indefinitely on makeshift evacuation sites or facilities not designed for prolonged accommodation.
Go also filed Senate Bill No. 173 seeking the establishment of a Department of Disaster Resilience and Senate Bill No. 415 proposing a rental housing subsidy for qualified informal settler families and disaster victims who need temporary shelter.
To strengthen fire prevention and response, he is the principal author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 11589, or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act.
The law mandates a modernization program that includes the acquisition of modern fire equipment, expansion of the BFP workforce and specialized training for firefighters.
Go has likewise proposed hazard pay for disaster personnel through Senate Bill No. 669, recognizing the risks faced by firefighters, rescuers and other emergency responders.
“Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit, anumang pagsubok ang ating haharapin sa susunod na mga araw, patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” Go concluded.
