Sen. Go pushes for disaster deparment

CEBU, Philippines —  In the hope of creating a highly specialized agency that will be tasked with ensuring adaptive, disaster-resilient and safe communities, a senate bill looking to establish a Department of Disaster Resilience was refiled.

Speaking with reporters, Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said that when there is already such department, there is no need for a local government unit to create a task force every time a disaster hit their respective locality.

Meanwhile, Go, together with Senators Imee Marcos, Ronald dela Rosa, Francis Tolentino , House Speaker  Martin Romualdez, Senator Jinggoy Estrada and Mandaue City Representative Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, gave financial assistance and relief assistance to the 670 families, who were affected by the fire that hit Sitio Paradise, Barangay Looc.

“Dili mi allowed mohatag og beyond P10,000, so mao ni kami nagtampo tampo aron moabot ang assistance og P10,000 matag pamilya,” said Ouano-Dizon in her speech assuring that they will continue to look for more ways to help the fire victims.

Ouano-Dizon likewise thanked her fellow Cebu legislators, Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia and First District Rep. Rhea Gullas for the blankets and pillows as well as diapers, wipes and vitamins for families of fire victims who have two years old and below.

Ouano-Dizon added that the Mandaue Host Lions Club headed by President Richard Ng also gave out colorful shirts.

The senators were joined by the city officials headed by Mayor Jonas Cortes.

Aside from the financial assistance, the residents also received sunglasses, shoes, volleyballs and basketballs, lunch packs and snacks.

The senator also encouraged the public to have themselves vaccinated against COVID-19, even if the number of new cases continues to dwindle. — GAN (FREEMAN)