MANILA, Philippines — Senator Bong  Go led the distribution of relief and financial aid to the victims affected by the Taal Volcano eruption during his visit at the Department of Health (DOH) Rehabilitation Center, Barangay Kaybagal South, Tagaytay City.

The Office of the President, through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea,  turned over financial assistance to affected local government units (LGUs) to help them respond to the needs of their constituents.

Go echoed the Duterte Administration’s firm commitment to provide continued support for immediate recovery and rehabilitation of affected areas.

Go related some individuals have already committed to donate horses as livelihood assistance, especially for residents in Tagaytay City who lost horses they use to earn a living due to the effects of the eruption. 

Senators Francis Tolentino and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who both reside in Cavite, joined Go and Medialdea during the visit and have also provided their own assistance to the victims.

Go also said that he has brought face masks for the residents after an advisory from the health department urging those affected by the ash fall to protect themselves from its health hazards.

Go was also joined during the visit by representatives from concerned government agencies to provide additional assistance to the disaster-stricken Filipinos, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), each with their own specific assistances for the victims.

Go 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 of government assistance for their health care needs.

Go  said that he will continue to push for the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR), regarding  what measures he is advocating to improve the country’s disaster preparation, management and mitigation efforts.

“I will push for the creation of the DDR so we will have a department on disasters. If we have DDR, cabinet level will focus on disaster preparedness, response and mitigation,” he said.

In July 2019, Go filed Senate Bill (SB) 205 which established an “empowered, highly-specialized, and responsive Department of Disaster Resilience with clear unity of command.”

He said the department will concentrate on three key result areas, namely: disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response, and recovery and building forward better.

Presently, various government agencies dealing with disaster risk reduction and management are scattered in several departments and offices and the current lead National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is merely a coordinating body.

Go added that he has filed a measure mandating the establishment of safe, permanent and dedicated evacuation centers throughout the country.

During  the last quarter of 2019 SB 1228, he also known as the Mandatory Evacuation Center Act, which will require every city, province and municipality to construct such centers that will be equipped with emergency packs, medicines and other basic necessities. (STACY ANG/IAMIGO/Currentph.com)