Following a visit to several fire-hit communities on Monday, July 7, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go renewed his call for the full implementation of the law mandating the construction of permanent evacuation centers in all municipalities and cities.
He referred to Republic Act No. 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act — which he principally authored and co-sponsored. Speaking to victims of a recent fire incident in Manila, Go urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to fulfill its obligation to implement the law.
“Dapat po merong komportableng maayos na mga evacuation center. Kesa naman gamitin ng DPWH ang kanilang budget sa walang kuwentang proyekto, unahin n’yo po itong evacuation center. Batas naman po ito. Mandato po ito ng batas na maglalagay ng mga evacuation center para naman po komportable ang ating mga kababayan tuwing sunog,” Go argued.
He underscored its significance in ensuring the safety and dignity of disaster-affected communities while expediting their recovery efforts.
Tying his legislative push to the fire incidents he personally visited, the senator cited the suffering of disaster victims as a moral imperative to accelerate institutional reform. He stressed the health risks posed by poor evacuation conditions, especially for children.
“Kawawa naman po, magkakasakit po ‘yung mga bata kung wala silang maayos na comfort room at maayos na higaan po,” Go warned.
He added, “Gamitin n’yo po ang pera ng gobyerno sa tama. ‘Yan po ang pakiusap ko sa kanilang Secretary, pinuno ng DPWH. Patuloy ko pong tututukan ‘yan bilang senador. Na dapat po maayos na evacuation center meron pong masasandalan ang ating mga kababayan tuwing merong sakuna. Dahil pera ng tao ‘yan,” stressed Go.
In a separate media interview, Senator Go emphasized the urgent need for a more coherent and institutionalized disaster management system, anchored on proactive coordination and supported by legally mandated infrastructure.
“Ito pong Department of Disaster Resilience, meron tayong magiging departamento — kung sakaling maisabatas po ito — na nakatutok po sa disaster,” the lawmaker said, explaining the purpose of his proposed measure.
Go continues to push for stronger disaster resilience and housing programs to better protect and support Filipino communities. At the start of the 20th Congress, he filed Senate Bill No. 173, or the proposed “Department of Disaster Resilience Act of 2025,” which seeks to establish a cabinet-level department to unify and streamline all disaster-related responsibilities under a single chain of command.
“Ibig sabihin, sa mga bagyo, isang maayos na koordinasyon ang kailangan. Dapat po bago dumating ‘yung bagyo, meron na pong makikipag-coordinate, preposition of goods, ‘pag alis po ng bagyo, restoration of normalcy agad.”
The move reaffirms his long-standing call to create a dedicated agency focused on disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response.
“Sila po ‘yung departamento na makikipag-coordinate sa buong gobyerno. At Cabinet Secretary level po ang importante rito,” Go explained, citing the need for coordination at the highest levels of government to avoid fragmented responses and bureaucratic delays.
He further explained how the proposed department would mobilize critical support during typhoons and floods, ensuring fast deployment of aid and rescue services.
“Tuwing may baha, meron kaagad na tutugon, makikipag-coordinate sa Air Force o sa Coast Guard para ilikas ‘yung mga kababayan natin sa ligtas na lugar. ‘Yan po ang layunin ng Department of Disaster Resilience. Ang Cabinet Secretary level, para ‘yung koordinasyon ay magiging maayos. May respeto sa isa’t isa between Cabinet Secretaries,” he added.
Go, who filed the measure in past Congresses, reiterated his appeal to lawmakers to prioritize its passage this time.
“Kaya patuloy ko po itong isusulong. Nakikiusap po ako sa mga kasamahan natin sa Senado, sa Kongreso, sana po maisabatas po ito ngayong 20th Congress. Ito po ang Department of Disaster Resilience. Para naman po merong maayos na mag-aasikaso ‘pag may nasusunugan, nababaha, putok ng bulkan, o buhawi, o anumang sakuna, no?” he declared.
Beyond evacuation centers and institutional reforms, Go also continues to push for improved housing programs, particularly for those displaced by calamities. He has pushed for a bill seeking to establish a Rental Housing Subsidy Program for disaster victims. If enacted, the measure would provide temporary shelter assistance, allowing affected families to rebuild or transition into permanent housing.
“‘Yan naman po ang pangako ko sa inyo noon. Kahit saang sulok kayo ng Pilipinas, sa kaya po ng aking katawan at panahon, pupuntahan ko po kayo at makatulong at makapag-iwan po ng konting ngiti sa panahon ng inyong pagdadalamhati,” he told the media.
Acknowledging the emotional toll of losing one’s home and belongings, he reminded the public of the primacy of human life in all disaster response efforts.
“Malungkot pong masunugan. Subalit, nandito tayo para magtulungan. Sabi ko nga sa kanila kanina, ang gamit nabibili, ang pera kikitain. Pero hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever. Importante, buhay po tayo,” he said.
