Senator Bong Go brings joy to Typhoon "Ursula" victims in Capiz over the weekend.

The victims of Typhoon “Ursula” can expect the government to immediately restore basic services, such as electricity and water, fast track repair of roads and provide basic commodities.

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, in a visit to Pontevedra, Capiz, over the weekend assured typhoon victims that government agencies are aware of their needs.

“Gaya na lang po sa mga regions na tinamaan po ng lindol, order nga po sa ating mga national government agencies ay i-restore to normal kaagad ‘yung sitwasyon lalong-lalo na po ‘yung mga kalye, kuryente, ‘yung mga basic commodities ay maibigay kaagad sa tao,” said Go.

Earlier, Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the Task Force on Energy Resiliency continues to work for the immediate full restoration of energy services in the Visayas and some parts of Luzon.

“The entire energy family is striving to normalize energy services, especially power, in the affected areas at the soonest, if possible before the new year,” said Cusi.

“The DOE has courageous and hardworking line men and other personnel on the ground who are working round-the-clock to safely and urgently restore access to power.”

More than 270 families composed of 1,015 individuals from five barangays were affected in Pontevedra. They received food, grocery items and cash from the senator.

Before heading to Pontevedra, Go also visited victims in Balasan, Iloilo.

“As what I have promised to the Filipino people, kahit saang sulok kayo ng Pilipinas, papasukin ko kayo basta kaya lang po ng aking panahon at ng aking katawan. Pupuntahan ko, para marinig kaagad ‘yung mga hinaing,” added Go.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development gave cash, the National Housing Authority will distribute housing materials and the Department of Trade and Industry will assist in livelihood programs.

Ursula lashed many areas in the country before and on Christmas Day, killing three people in Pontevedra alone. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council placed the total number of casualties at 41 as of Sunday while the Department of Agriculture estimated damage worth at least P695 million.

Go said he and concerned agencies constantly report what is happening on ground to President Rodrigo Duterte.

The senator has filed several measures to further mitigate effects of such disasters and natural calamities, such as Senate Bill No. 205 or the “Department of Disaster Resilience Act of 2019” which proposes for the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience.

“Bilang isang senador, marami po akong plano, tulad po ng na-file ko, itong Department of Disaster Resilience para meron na sana tayong departamento na nakatutok lang sa mga ganitong pangyayari tulad ng lindol, baha, bagyo,” shared Go.

Through this measure, the existing Disaster Risk Reduction and Management will be reformed locally and a Disaster Resilience Fund will be put up to finance operations, such as preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation at the national level.

As disaster resilience is one of his main advocacy, Go said he is pushing for the establishment of permanent evacuation centers.

“Gusto ko rin pong magkaroon ng permanent evacuation center para po may maayos tayong lugar tuwing bagyo na safe, malinis at may higaan, lalo na ang mga bata, komportable po sila, nakakapagpahinga habang di pa sila nakakabalik sa kanilang mga bahay,” Go said.

Go’s SB No. 203, or the National Housing Development, Production and Financing Act, aims to provide easy measures for affordable housing.

“Itong National Housing Development, Production and Financing Act, para po murang pabahay sa mga kapatid nating Pilipino at matitibay na bahay, para magkaroon na rin po sila ng sarili nilang pamamahay. Marami pa tayong ibang programang pinaplano, mga tulong tuwing mga ganitong panahon tulad ng dagdag na housing material assistance,” explained Go.