Senator Christopher “Bong” Go. on Wednesday, June 8, renewed his call for the passage of his Senate Bill No. 205, to be known as the “Disaster Resilience Act”, following the phreatic eruption of the Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon province on Sunday.

During an ambush interview after his monitoring visit of the Malasakit Center at the Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Go detailed the government’s efforts to aid Filipinos affected by Mount Bulusan’s recent eruption.

“So far naman ngayon, medyo nagkalma na po ‘yung bulkan at mayroon pong mga nailikas na 50 families at inatasan na po ni Pangulong Duterte tugunan kaagad ang mga pangangailangan nila – pagkain at maayos po na evacuation center para sa kanila, para komportable po sila hanggang safe na po silang makabalik sa kanilang mga pamamahay,” he said.

“Inatasan na po ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte ang DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), si Usec. (Ricard) Jalad, itong sa NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) Chief po na si Usec. Jalad para tutukan po,” added Go.

The Bulusan Volcano erupted on Sunday morning as reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, resulting in ashfall affecting communities in the towns of Juban, Casiguran, and Irosin in Sorsogon.

The volcano’s alert status was also raised by the PHIVOLCS from 0 (normal) to Alert Level 1 (low-level unrest).

Since being elected as senator in 2019, Go has been committed to pushing measures intended to create a quicker and more unified whole-of-government approach in preparing for crisis situations.

The senator reiterated the importance of instituting a more proactive approach when dealing with natural disasters. He maintained the need for a more streamlined and holistic response to disasters and other calamities as he renewed his call for the passage of SB 205.

“Ako naman po, isisingit ko na lang, that is why (I’m) still pushing and will never stop po, hindi po ako hihinto sa pagsusulong ng Department of Disaster Resilience para po mayroon tayong isang departamentong cabinet-secretary level na nakatutok po sa mga kababayan natin,” said Go.

Explaining how his proposed department would work, Go said, “Halimbawa, bago dumating ‘yung bagyo, bago pumutok ‘yung bulkan, ilikas kaagad sa mga ligtas na lugar ‘yung mga kababayan natin. Sa secretary level na mag-aasikaso, makikipag-coordinate kaagad sa mga local government officials. Bigyan kaagad ng pagkain, maayos na evacuation center. ‘Yan po ang tanging layunin ng Department of Disaster Resilience.”

“Iba po kasi kapag cabinet-secretary level ang mamumuno ng departamento, madali ang koordinasyon at hindi na kailangan mag-create pa ng panibagong mga task force. Kasi mayroon pong departamento na para po dito sa mga disaster na darating pa sa ating bansa,” he added.

The bill, which Go filed in 2019, aims to address the bureaucratic challenges that undermine the government’s ability to better respond and provide support to individuals affected by disasters. To do so, it establishes the Department of Disaster Resilience, a highly-specialized agency that will prepare against the devastating effects of climate change and ensure a more proactive approach to natural disasters.

Go then said that he intends to refile the said measure in the next Congress. “Hindi po siya naipasa sa Senado, nandoon po siya sa komite noong panahon namin sa 18th Congress. Ngayon naman po sa 19th Congress, ipa-file ko po ito, ire-refile ko po, kung anong kailangan ayusin para matuloy lang po ito.”

Go reassured his fellow Filipinos that he would continue to fight for the bill’s passage, citing the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters and to the impact of climate change.

“Mas lalo po nating kailangan ito lalung-lalo na po sa panahon ng climate change. Hindi natin alam ang biglang pagbabago po ng ating panahon,” he reiterated.

To complement the DDR, Go also filed SB 1228, which seeks to establish a mandatory evacuation center in all cities, provinces and municipalities across the country.

Given the geographic location of the Philippines, Go reiterated the necessity to build permanent evacuation centers nationwide to ensure the safety of Filipinos in times of natural calamities and other disasters.

“Kailangang magpatayo tayo ng mga safe, permanent and dedicated evacuation centers na mayroong sapat na mga emergency packs, katulad ng blankets, tubig, gamot, flashlight, at ready na relief goods. Obligasyon ng gobyerno na palaging maging handa sa oras ng sakuna,” Go stressed.