Daily Tribune

PAGE THREE

Go pushes Disaster Resilience bill

DT · Sep 13, 2023, 1:43 AM

Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go. (Photo courtesy of SBG)

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has once again pushed for the passage of Senate Bill 188, also referred to as the Department of Disaster Resilience Act, which aims to establish a streamlined agency with the primary mission of guaranteeing the development of adaptive, disaster-resilient, and secure communities.

In a video message during his team's relief activity for landslide victims in Antipolo City, Rizal on Friday, 8 September, Go said that recent typhoons serve as a grim reminder of the constant threats posed by natural disasters to communities.

"We need to be better equipped and prepared to face these challenges. That is why I am urging my fellow lawmakers to prioritize the passage of Senate Bill 188, which will establish the Department of Disaster Resilience," he said.

Held at the Antipolo City Hall, Go's team coordinated with Governor Rebecca "Nini" Ynares and Mayor Casimiro "Jun" Ynares III and provided assistance to 22 landslide victims. They all received snacks, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball from the senator.

In addition, emergency housing assistance was provided by the National Housing Authority to qualified beneficiaries.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Go pledged to continue working closely with communities to protect the health and well-being of Filipinos by expanding access to affordable healthcare. He encouraged the sick and elderly to visit the nearest Malasakit Center where they may conveniently avail of the medical assistance programs offered by the government.

The primary aim of the Malasakit Center is to reduce a patient's hospital bill to the lowest possible amount by covering various patient services and expenses. There are currently 158 centers nationwide, the closest of which are located at the Antipolo City Hospital System Annex IV, Casimiro A. Ynares Sr. Memorial Hospital in Rodriguez, Bagong Cainta Municipal Hospital, and Margarito A. Duavit Memorial Hospital in Binangonan.