Sen. Bong Go cited local government officials of areas hardly hit by recent typhoons for their preparations and close coordination that resulted into a low number of casualties.
“The local officials already have enough experience and mechanisms in place as far as disaster response is concerned when compared to the previous years despite being overwhelmed by the recent string of typhoons,” Go said after leading the distribution of assistance to typhoon victims in Rizal.
“Unang-una, kinokomenda ko ang mga LGUs natin dahil handa sila sa panahong ito, unlike before na nangangapa pa tayo. Ngayon, pinaghahandaan nang husto ng LGUs ang mga bagyo at sakuna,’’ he said. (I am commending our LGUs for being prepared at this time, unlike before that we were at a loss. Now, the LGUs are prepared for typhoons and disasters)
He particularly cited local officials in Cagayan and Isabela which were hit by massive flooding partially as a result by the release of water from the Magat Dam.
“Sabi ng PAGASA ay 15 percent lang po mula sa dam, 85 percent po mula sa bagyo dahil talagang hindi natin kontrolado ang ulan (PAGASA said that only 15 percent came from the dam, 85 percent came from the typhoon since we are not in control of the rain).”
“I commend the LGUs (local government units) po sa effort nila na maghanda, lalo na po ang pag-evacuate bago pa dumating ang pagtaas ng tubig ,’’ he added.
(I commend the LGUs for their effort to prepare, especially in the early evacuation before the flooding)
Asked if a fact-finding committee is needed to probe the release of water from the Magat Dam which compounded the rains that caused the flooding in Cagayan and Isabela, Go said that such decision would be the prerogative of President Duterte and concerned authorities.
He, however, said that he would rather focus on efforts to help affected residents fully recover and make communities more resilient by “building back better.”
Go said that while government efforts keep on improving in terms of disaster preparedness and response, there is a need to think long-term in order to mitigate and reduce risks in future disasters.
“Dito papasok ang task force sa recovery and rehab. May klaro itong mandato at kapasidad upang maimplementa ang mga programa hanggang makabangon muli ang ating mga kababayan. Hindi ito titigil hanggang matapos ang trabaho,’’ he explained.
(This is where the task force on recovery and rehabilitation comes in. It has a clear mandate and capacity to implement programs until our countrymen would be able to resume their regular activities. The Task Force will not stop until it has done its job)