Press Release - Bong Go champions disaster resilience initiatives as his team provides aid to to typhoon-affected residents in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go's Malasakit Team visited Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat on Thursday, December 21, to provide support to victims still recovering from Typhoon Paeng.

Held at the municipal covered court, the Malasakit Team assisted 324 affected residents. The beneficiaries received grocery packs, shirts, vitamins, snacks, and balls for basketball and volleyball while some of them received a watch, a cellular phone, and a pair of shoes.

Aside from the assistance from Go, qualified beneficiaries also received housing assistance from the National Housing Authority under the agency's Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP).

"Isinulong natin ang programang EHAP noon at patuloy ko itong sinusuportahan ngayon upang matulungan ang mga biktima ng bagyo, sunog o anumang sakuna, na makabili ng materyales para sa bahay tulad ng yero, pako, semento, at iba pang kagamitan," Go said in a video message.

"Sa pamamagitan ng EHAP, bibigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang mga pamilyang nawalan ng bahay na makabangon muli. Magbibigay ito ng tulong pinansyal upang mabili ang mga materyales na kakailanganin sa pagtatayo o pag-aayos ng kanilang mga tahanan. Sa pamamagitan nito, hindi lamang natin sila tinutulungan na magkaroon ulit ng maayos na masisilungan, kundi binibigyan din natin sila ng bagong pag-asa," he added.

Meanwhile, Go has introduced Senate Bill No. 188, advocating for the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience. This proposal underscores the need for a dedicated and cohesive approach to managing disasters.

He detailed the potential responsibilities of this proposed department, encompassing areas such as preparedness before disasters, coordination with local government units, and initiatives for recovery after disasters.

Go stressed the imperative nature of this initiative, taking into account the diverse array of disasters that frequently impact the country, including floods, typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and fires.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also offered assistance to those in need of medical care. The senator mentioned that there is a Malasakit Center located at Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital in