Bong Go assists quake victims
Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go distributed grocery packs and financial aid yesterday in towns hardest hit by the magnitude 6.6 and 6.5 earthquakes that rocked North Cotabato and other parts of Mindanao on Oct. 29 and 31, respectively.
An earlier strong quake with a magnitude of 6.3 first hit the same areas last Oct. 16.
Straight from Thailand where he accompanied President Duterte for the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, Go first visited victims in Kidapawan City who are temporarily staying at the evacuation center in Barangay Ilomavis before riding a motorcycle and proceeding to Makilala, North Cotabato to provide various forms of assistance.
“I will go to whatever corner of the Philippines to give help in your hour of need,” Go said.
In Kidapawan and Makilala, Go commiserated with the victims, saying that his office is always open to help them to listen to their concerns.
“We’re here to try to reach a solution,” Go said, adding he will continue to be the bridge to the President and government.
The senator was accompanied by representatives from concerned government agencies to provide additional assistance to the disasterstricken Filipinos. Private entities also sent their assistance through Go’s office.
As for their housing needs, Go said that he has coordinated with the National Housing Authority (NHA) for the rebuilding and repair of the houses of the victims. He urged the NHA to provide a long-term housing plan for victims of natural disasters.
He also encouraged the residents, especially those who are injured or in need of medical attention, to go to the nearest Malasakit Center so they can avail themselves of government assistance for their healthcare needs.
At the centers, he said, there are designated express lanes for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
There are existing Malasakit Centers in Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City; Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato Regional Medical Center in Cotabato City.
Malasakit Centers in the provinces of South Cotabato and North Cotabato will be established soon.
In a Nov. 3 report by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), authorities said that at least 22 deaths have been confirmed from the disasters. Sixteen are from Cotabato, three in Davao del Sur, two in South Cotabato and one in Sultan Kudarat.
Wary of fake news in times of calamities, Go advised the public to rely on legitimate sources of information when sharing news on social media.
As to reports that the continuous earthquakes have damaged many structures, Go said that government agencies should be strict in implementing the law, particularly the National Building Code which the senator plans to revisit and propose necessary amendments to ensure safety amid recurring natural disasters, such as earthquakes.
The National Building Code was promulgated in 1977 when then president Ferdinand Marcos issued Presidential Decree No. 1096.
Go also said that he will talk to the Department of Health to install portalets in evacuation centers and ensure proper sanitation in the temporary shelters. This will prevent outbreaks of diseases in cramped areas.
The senator also called on the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology to heighten its information drive and make essential information, such as location of fault lines around the country, more available to the general public.
In line with this, Go reiterated his proposal for the establishment of a separate executive department focused on disaster resilience to serve as the lead agency for disaster response and preparedness of the government.
Go filed Senate Bill 205, known as “Disaster Resilience Act of 2019,” which seeks to establish “an empowered, highly specialized and responsive Department of Disaster Resilience with clear unity of command.”