Show of concern One trait that endears Sen. Bong Go to the public is his concern for the needy particularly victims of tragedies.

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Monday distributed cash assistance and grocery packs at the towns hit hardest by the 6.3-magnitude earthquake in central and southern parts of Mindanao last 16 October.

Go first visited Tulunan, North Cotabato, the epicenter of the earthquake, and then proceeded to Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, where a 22-year-old mother and her 9-month-old child were killed in a landslide during the quake.

The senator was joined by representatives from concerned government agencies, such as the National Housing Authority (NHA), Department of Health (DoH) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Go emphasized the role of NHA in helping the victims rebuild or repair their houses.

He assured the affected residents of neighboring towns and provinces that necessary government assistance will also be delivered to them.

Meanwhile, Go extended his sympathies to the Japanese people who were recently struck by supertyphoon “Hagibis,” resulting in the death of 80 people, 11 others missing and 398 injured.

“I deeply regret receiving the news of casualties and massive devastation brought by typhoon “Hagibis’ in Japan,” the senator said in his letter.

“In the wake of this unfortunate event, I wish to express my solidarity with and condolences to the Japanese people, especially those who lost loved ones,” Go added.

Go also guaranteed the readiness of the Philippine government to assist the Japanese people in terms of disaster relief and recovery efforts.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Mindanao earthquake affected a total of 5,101 families, involving 25,505 individuals, in 108 barangays in Regions 11 and 12, as of 22 October.

A total of 778 aftershocks, ranging from 1.5 to 5.5 magnitude, have also been recorded.

Go advised the public to be cautious and rely only on legitimate sources of information in spreading news through social media. He warned purveyors of fake news to stop adding to the burden by deceiving the public.

He also encouraged the people to avail themselves of the services of the Malasakit Center, an office where patients and those in need of medical attention can avail of financial assistance from concerned government agencies, such as PhilHealth, DoH, DSWD and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

After the visits in the areas affected by the earthquake, Go went to the Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, and attended the opening of the 47th Malasakit Center in the country.