The Philippines is prone to various calamities such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and typhoons. This is because of our geographical location, being along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Climate change is also a significant contributor to the worsening natural calamities. Although Filipinos are known to be resilient, time and again, these natural disasters cause a tremendous impact on our lives. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance that the government prioritizes improving our disaster response. When calamity strikes, it is particularly the poor Filipinos who suffer.

As your senator, I continue to fight for the establishment of the Department of Disaster Resilience or DDR. On the very first day of the 20th Congress, I refiled the measure as one of my priority bills. If enacted into law, it shall concentrate on three significant areas: disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response, and recovery and better building progress.

It is high time our country creates an empowered agency that focuses mainly on disaster-related functions. Rather than just the existing coordinating council and task forces, we need a cabinet secretary-led department able to fully coordinate with other department heads. I have high respect for our relevant agencies and responders for their dedication and capabilities, hence, all the more reason that we need a single department that can act swiftly in the face of calamity.

Relevantly, I take pride in the enactment of Republic Act 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which I principally authored and co-sponsored. It was signed into law on 6 December 2024. Under the law, the national government is mandated to establish dedicated evacuation centers in all cities and municipalities so that the safety, security, health and privacy of our evacuees may be guaranteed.

I, therefore, urge my fellow workers in government to prioritize the full implementation of the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act. The Filipino people should be able to utilize public funds through important projects and impactful services. Aligned with our advocacy to bring services closer to the people, I filed the second set of my priority bills on 9 July.

These proposals include amendments to the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 by establishing an Advanced Nursing Education Program; expanding benefits for para-athletes so that incentives will be at par with other athletes; waived or discounted fees for unregistered Filipinos who wish to obtain a delayed birth registration; institutionalization of the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program to reduce, if not eliminate, out-of-pocket health expenditures; provision of monthly allowance for teachers; institutionalization of the Philippine Geriatric Center as a dedicated senior citizen hospital; Magna Carta for Barangay Healthcare Workers; the Philippine National Games which aim to develop grassroots sports; institutionalization of the Overseas Filipino Workers Hospital; and establishing a rental housing subsidy program for poor Filipinos who lost their homes during calamities.

We cannot prevent disasters in our country, but we can minimize, if not prevent, the tragic effects of these disasters. With the help of my fellow lawmakers, I will continue fighting for the passage of these measures.

Meanwhile, we personally aided 57 fire victims in Malinta, Valenzuela City on 7 July. We also provided immediate assistance afterward to the 458 fire victims from Barangays 420, 448, 439 and 581 in Manila.

On 11 July, we visited the newly built Public Market, Tennis Court and Multi-Purpose Building in Alburquerque, Bohol. As Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, your Senator Kuya Bong Go supports community development projects like these. We also attended the 428th Foundation Day and the 3rd Suba Festival of Loboc, Bohol with Mayor Raymond Jala and Councilor Efren Mandin.

Furthermore, to reach more Filipinos at the grassroots level, the Malasakit Team immediately assisted 65 fire victims in Pasay City and 35 in Parañaque City.

The Malasakit Team also joined the turnover of the Super Health Center in Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Executive Committee Meeting in Sta. Mesa, Manila, and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Healthcare Forum at Makati Diamond Hotel with Executive Director Florian Gottein.

As your Mr. Malasakit, I will work to the best of my ability and continue to be of service to my fellow Filipinos. Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos.