Following his visit to the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda in Brgy. Maribi, Tanauan, Leyte on Friday, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go shared that he has filed a bill in the Senate which seeks to provide a long-term socialized housing program to benefit all Filipinos, including disaster victims.

“I filed Senate Bill (SB) 203. Maybe it is ambitious, but at least we will have a long-term housing plan for the people,” said Go.

SB 203, or the “National Housing Development, Production and Financing Act of 2019”, seeks to provide low-cost, accessible and affordable housing as part of the efforts to reduce homelessness in the country.

If passed into law, the measure will implement various types of socialized housing programs for the poor and disaster survivors where the NHA will take the lead and housing programs for low-salaried government employees will also be made available.

In his participation during the groundbreaking and capsule-laying ceremony for the construction of the Primetown Housing 4 intended for survivors of Typhoon Yolanda, Go expressed his appreciation over the project which sets to benefit families which lost their homes during the super typhoon that struck the country back in 2013.

“Today is indeed a momentous day for each and every one of us. We are all gathered here to witness the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of more than 500 new housing units for those who lost their homes in the most unfortunate disaster in Philippine history, Typhoon Yolanda,” said Go.

The senator also recounted how he and then Davao City Mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte came to the aid of the survivors after the typhoon in 2013, as he and the President were among the first government officials to help and bring aid to the Taclobanons who were worst hit by Yolanda.

Widely considered as the worst typhoon in Philippine history, Yolanda claimed the lives of more than 6,000 individuals, while more than 1,000 remain missing. It also caused $2.98 billion worth of damage on the country’s economy.

Having witnessed how the residents gradually rose up from the tragedy, Go lauded their resilience, adding that they inspire him to serve Filipinos better as a senator.

After the groundbreaking, Go proceeded to the Tanauan Plaza for the candle-lighting ceremony commemorating the victims of Yolanda.

Meanwhile, Go also guaranteed that the President will go after government officials and contractors responsible for incomplete and substandard housing projects for Yolanda survivors.