In addition to his relief efforts for earthquake-affected households in Sultan Kudarat, Sen. Christopher Bong Go renewed calls for government-led repairs of damaged homes.
Go’s team distributed essential items, including grocery packs, shirts, pens, and sports equipment, to 250 affected residents in the municipality of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat.
The senator, a consistent advocate of stronger disaster response and resilience measures, also stressed the lack of proper evacuation centers in the country.
"You know, our countrymen don't have comfortable evacuation centers. Sometimes, they use covered courts. Sometimes, they use schools. It even disrupts the children's education," Go said in a video message.
He cited Republic Act No. 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which he principally authored and co-sponsored. The law seeks to institutionalize the construction of proper evacuation centers nationwide.
According to Go, the evacuation centers would help provide ease and comfort to affected families during calamities such as floods and earthquakes.
For the repair of homes damaged by the recent quakes, Go renewed his call for the passage of Senate Bill No. 173, which proposes the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience.
Once enacted, the proposed agency would centralize and streamline government efforts in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
“Every life is precious. Therefore, all aspects of disaster management — from rescue, relief, to recovery and rehabilitation — must be properly planned and organized,” Go said.
“I will continue to serve you to the best of my ability because service is my habit. I believe that true service to people is also service to God,” he added.