Sen. Bong Go Visits, Aids Flood Victims in Calumpit, Bulacan

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go on Monday visited the flooded town of Calumpit in Bulacan and extended relief assistance to residents affected by the calamity. Calumpit is among areas in Central Luzon severely affected by flooding caused by typhoons and the southwest monsoon. After learning that Calumpit has been flooded for almost a month now, Go decided to proceed to the area to check the situation of residents. Go waded through floodwaters to reach affected barangays and evacuation centers, where he spoke and listened to families displaced by the calamity. Go and his team led a relief distribution activity at the F. Mendoza Memorial Elementary School, where 400 flood victims received food packs. He promised to push the passage of long-term measures that will strengthen the capacity of communities to prepare for and recover from disasters. One of these measures is Republic Act 12076 or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which seeks the establishment of permanent and disaster-resilient evacuation centers nationwide. These facilities are intended to provide families displaced by calamities with safe, accessible and properly equipped shelters as well as reduce reliance on schools, gymnasiums and other facilities not specifically designed for evacuation purposes. Go said that prolonged flooding often leads to illnesses, making access to healthcare important for affected communities. As vice chair of the Senate committee on health and demography, Go stressed the need to ensure the availability of medical assistance during disasters. He said the 167 Malasakit Centers that he helped establish are ready to provide medical assistance. On his way to Bulacan, Go spotted a vendor selling siomai in the rain. He bought all the siomai so the vendor could go home and be safe from the bad weather.