Senator Bong Go's office, in coordination with Mayor Clark Ngaya, distributed grocery packs to 500 Typhoon Egay victims at the municipal hall in Barlig, Mountain Province, on Monday, 25 September.

In the Senate, Go is taking a proactive stance by championing two significant bills, Senate Bill Nos. 188 and 193, that aim to create a robust framework for the nation to be able to navigate the challenges posed by frequent natural disasters.

At the forefront of Go's legislative initiatives is SBN 188, which seeks to establish the Department of Disaster Resilience. The proposed bill seeks to elevate disaster preparedness and response by creating a Cabinet-secretary level department solely focused on disaster resilience.

The senator emphasized that if established, DDR would place particular emphasis on three critical areas: disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response, and recovery and building back better.

In tandem with SBN 188, Go has also filed SBN 193, known as the Mandatory Evacuation Center Act. The proposed legislation seeks to ensure that disaster victims have access to safe and well-equipped temporary shelters during and after calamities, guaranteeing their safety and welfare.

He underlined that these facilities should be stocked with essential emergency supplies. The senator further stressed that it's the government's responsibility to always be prepared during times of calamity.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography encouraged those with health concerns to visit any of the two Malasakit Centers in the province situated at Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital and Bontoc General Hospital.

Malasakit Centers can also be found at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, Benguet General Hospital in La Trinidad, Far North Luzon General Hospital & Training Center, and Conner District Hospital in Apayao.

In an effort to bring primary healthcare services closer to communities, Go also pushed for the construction of the Lagawe Super Health Center to help improve healthcare accessibility in the province.

Lastly, the senator is the principal sponsor and one of the authors of the recently passed RA 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act. The said law mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals.