Bong Go provides aid to Tejero fire victims

CEBU, Philippines — Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has brought aid for 72 fire victims in Barangay Tejero, Cebu City yesterday.

Dubbed as Mr. Malasakit, Go also led the distribution of the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) to 72 families in the said barangay.

Each family received cash assistance of P10,000 and other P10,000 in a form or voucher from the Department of Trade and Industry for livelihood assistance.

Go also gave out a cellphone, bicycle, food, among others to the beneficiaries as witnessed by Cebu City Vice Mayor Raymond Garcia and barangay officials.

Go is pushing for the passage of Senate Bill 1228 or an Act Establishing the Mandatory Evacuation Center in all cities, municipalities and provinces in the country.

The senator said this is in order for the evacuees to have a decent temporary shelter, clean restrooms, and for children to be safer.

In his Explanatory Note of his proposed measure, Go said that the Philippines is highly vulnerable to natural hazards, attributed primarily to the country's location.

The country is positioned along the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire," an area where earthquakes and volcanic activities are more frequent than in any other part of the world.

Further, the country fronts the Pacific Ocean, exposing it to a high number of typhoons and related weather disturbances annually; with the onset of climate change, these extreme disturbances will only serve to drastically increase the severity of natural disasters.

When these disasters strike, the Filipinos, especially the underprivileged, suffer the most.

“In most instances, these disasters render their homes unlivable, leaving the victims without roofs above their heads and food on their plates. Hence, it is high time that the State establish evacuation centers in all cities, provinces, and municipalities which will cater to the basic needs of the victims of these disasters and provide them temporary shelters that will guarantee their safety, promote their social wellbeing, and guard their welfare while they recover and rebuild their homes and their lives,” he stated.

The construction and maintenance of evacuation centers in all localities shall be implemented by a coordinated Department of Public Works and Highways, the LGUs concerned, and other line agencies.

This will strengthen preparation and improve response capacity for future disasters, the senator added. — (FREEMAN)