Seeking strength and finding comfort in prayer and compassion as our country faces calamities

It has not been long since a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the Province of Cebu and some parts of Mindanao. Yes, less than a month after the traumatic event, Cebu faced another tragedy after Typhoon Tino took the lives of many of our kababayans.

Only a few days after Typhoon Tino hit our country, an even stronger Super Typhoon Uwan brought what is expected to be massive devastation to many areas of Luzon. As we endure all these calamities, let us all join in prayer for the safety of our countrymen affected by nature's wrath. In times of hardship, may our faith guide us, give us hope, and unite us as we overcome challenges together.

On November 6, I went to ground zero in Talisay City, Mandaue City, and Cebu City to personally witness the extent of the damage and deliver assistance to the affected families. As someone who personally saw the aftermath of the recent earthquake, I could not believe how even more devastated Cebu is after Typhoon Tino. I have visited several evacuation centers as well to check on the condition of our kababayans. In Talisay City, we visited the Talisay Sports Academy, Talisay City Hall, San Isidro Bridge and Brgy. San Isidro gymnasium. In Mandaue City, we visited Brgy. Opao Gymnasium. Lastly, in Cebu City, we went to Villa del Rio Subdivision and Brgy. Bacayan gymnasium.

We are calling on concerned government agencies to maximize the use of resources so that the victims of recent calamities can return to normalcy the soonest. I strongly urge the national government to swiftly and fully implement Republic Act No. 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which I principally authored and co-sponsored. The law was enacted in December of 2024 to establish permanent, safe, and well-equipped evacuation centers in all cities and municipalities in the country.

It is high time that we protect the dignity of our evacuees. In all my visits to our fellow Filipinos who were affected by floods, earthquakes, fire, and even volcano eruption, I always see the urgent need for proper evacuation centers.

In light of the infrastructure scandal plaguing our nation, I am one with the Filipino people in this fight and crusade against corruption. Instead of pouring millions into different programs that only focus on flood control projects that are often taken advantage of by some corrupt people, I plead to open our eyes and realize that evacuation centers are as necessary as the other programs.

The Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act has a proposed ₱2.1 billion allocation in the 2026 National Budget. Together with the Filipino people, I remain hopeful that the program will receive more funding and that the construction of evacuation centers will not end up as another ghost or anomalous project. Aside from mandatory evacuation centers, victims of calamities will greatly benefit if the government will prioritize a national housing program that would develop resettlement or relocation housing for them.

Time and again, the resilience of Filipinos has been tested but never broken. Yet resilience alone is not enough. We must take decisive, lasting action to ensure our people are truly protected.

On November 8, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, I was invited to attend the Mikey Belmonte Cup District 2 Opening Ceremony at Quezon City.

Meanwhile, the previous week, our Malasakit Team visited various kababayans in need as they went to Mati City, Davao Oriental; Tandag City, Surigao del Sur; and Iloilo City to aid micro-entrepreneurs.

Solo parents, senior citizens and persons with disabilities were also aided in Pinamungajan, Cebu and in Tolosa, Leyte. The Malasakit Team also assisted scholars from Tarlac State University.

Let us pray for the safety of everyone and rest assured I will continue pursuing meaningful legislations that will help uplift the life of the Filipino people dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos.