The senator urged local officials to ensure that all aid and assistance coming from the national government reach the victims. #BongGo #AidtoUrsulavictims

Sen. Go also distributed financial assistance to 213 affected families in Balasan town. (SBG)

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go delivered food and grocery packs to victims of Typhoon Ursula in the Iloilo towns of Balasan and Pontevedra on Sunday.

During the visit at the Balasan Gym, Go also distributed financial assistance to 213 affected families and promised to provide uniforms and school supplies for their schooling children.

Different government agencies were also present during the visit to provide the victims with appropriate assistance. The Department of Social Welfare and Development will provide cash assistance to victims based on the validated list prepared by local leaders.

“Ang NHA (National Housing Authority), merong programa na magbibigay sila ng housing materials sa lahat ng mga totally damaged. Bibigyan lahat sila para makapagpatayo kaagad ng bahay,” Go said.

“‘Yung Department of Trade and Industry naman may livelihood program. Iba’t ibang ahensiya ng gobyerno magbibigay rin po ng tulong,” he added.

The senator urged local officials to ensure that all aid and assistance coming from the national government reach the victims.

“Pinili po kayo ng mga tao bilang leaders, malaki din po ang tiwala ko sa kanila kaya naman sana ay ibigay nila sa mga tao ang mga dumarating na tulong,” said Go.

As for victims with medical conditions that require a specialist, Go said he is willing to bring them to medical specialists in Manila to have them checked.

“Sa mga nais magpa-opera dahil walang espesyalista dito sa kanilang lugar, ako na po ang sasalo para makapagpa-opera sila sa Manila,” Go said.

Meanwhile, Go said he has filed Senate Bill (SB) No. 205 or the “Department of Disaster Resilience Act of 2019” which proposes for the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience, “an empowered, highly specialized department with clear unity of command and primarily responsible in ensuring safe, adaptive and disaster-resilient communities.”

“Layunin po ng batas na ito na magkaroon ng hiwalay na departamento na tututok sa pag-manage natin ng mga sakuna. Tapos na kami sa committee hearing at ipu-push ko ito na mapabilis,” said Go.

On 11 November, the senator emphasized during a Joint Committee Hearing of the National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation; Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation; Ways and Means; and Finance Committees the country’s need to be more proactive in its approach in dealing with natural disasters.

“Equally important na proactive tayo bago ang sakuna. Dapat may magtuturo sa mga LGUs kung ano ang dapat gawin sakaling may darating na sakuna. Handa tayo dapat bago pa ito dumating,” said Go.

“Kapag may isang departamento na, alam na ng ating mga kababayan kung sino ang kanilang lalapitan. Alam na din kung sino ang makikipag-coordinate sa iba’t ibang ahensya. Huwag na nating hintayin na magkaroon pa ng bagyo, sunog, lindol,” he added.

After his visit to Balasan, the senator proceeded to Pontevedra town to extend similar assistance to typhoon victims in the province of Capiz.

“Kahit saang sulok po ng Pilipinas, pupuntahan ko po kayo hanggang sa makakaya ko para magbigay ng tulong at mag-iwan ng ngiti sa oras ng inyong pagdadalamhati,” Go told the victims.

Around 5,700 families, or 21,900 individuals, were affected by Typhoon Ursula in Western Visayas, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported.

Fatalities were also reported in the region with 9 deaths in Iloilo and 4 in Capiz.