Senator Bong Go



Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has emphasized the urgent need for the establishment of mandatory evacuation centers throughout the country through his Senate Bill (SB) No. 193. Go stressed this after expressing his deep concern over the inadequate facilities for calamity victims especially during times of natural disasters, including typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and even fire incidents. “I have filed this Mandatory Evacuation Center bill in the Senate. I have noticed that every time there is a typhoon, earthquake, volcanic eruption and other calamities, there are no decent evacuation centers for the affected Filipinos,” the senator lamented, drawing attention to the challenges faced by affected communities during times of crisis. At present, makeshift evacuation centers, such as basketball courts or covered courts, are commonly used, and sometimes schools are repurposed as temporary shelters. This situation often disrupts the education of children and compromises the overall welfare of evacuees. “It’s time to have clean and decent evacuation centers. This is the reason why I filed the Mandatory Evacuation Center bill which aims to establish these evacuation centers in every city, municipality and province,” Go said, stressing the need for dedicated facilities specifically designed to cater to the needs of displaced individuals and families. According to the senator from Davao, these centers should not only offer adequate space but also prioritize hygiene and sanitation to prevent the spread of diseases and ensure the well-being of evacuees. Under the proposed measure, the construction of the evacuation centers will be overseen by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The DPWH will be in charge of constructing the evacuation centers based on standards, issuances, and guidelines set by the DPWH. The DENR, on the other hand, will determine the location of each evacuation center, in close coordination with the local government units concerned. The minimum requirements for every evacuation center are also specified in the bill. The centers must have amenities and accessibility that will enable them to accommodate a large number of evacuees. Aside from the measure, Go reiterated his call for the passage of SB No.188 which will establish the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR), centralizing efforts, streamline coordination, and ensure more swift and effective response to emergencies. If enacted into law, the new department shall concentrate on three key result areas, namely: disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response, and recovery and building forward better. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has recently voiced its support for the establishment of the DDR, emphasizing the importance of such institutions in improving operations in managing and responding to future crises. “Things can be better if there will be an independent authority or department, but it’s not that simple … We leave it to Congress and we leave it to the Palace, to Malacañang. Meanwhile, on our end, we are doing our best given the limitations,” OCD Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno said.