Last June 3, Mt. Kanlaon, an active volcano on Negros Island, erupted, producing a 5,000-meter plume, as reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
The steam-driven or phreatic explosion occurred at the summit vent at 6:51 p.m., prompting Phivolcs to raise Alert Level 2.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) announced on June 4 that the explosive eruption affected more than a thousand individuals.
In response, Senator Bong Go, through his Malasakit Team and in coordination with local government, led by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, swiftly mobilized to assist the victims, distributing food packs.
Go’s Malasakit Team provided grocery packs to a total of 1,325 families from Bago City, Pontevedra, La Carlota City, La Castallena, and Moises Padilla, all in Negros Occidental.
The legislator has consistently championed measures to enhance the country’s disaster resiliency.
The lawmaker has been advocating for the passage of Senate Bill No. 188, also known as the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) Act. This proposed legislation aims to establish a specialized agency dedicated to ensuring adaptive, disaster-resilient, and safe communities.
“By creating the Department of Disaster Resilience, we can ensure a more swift and effective response to emergencies.”
“Natural disasters such as the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon underscores the urgent need for a centralized, streamlined approach to disaster management,” the senator said. “By creating the Department of Disaster Resilience, we can ensure a more swift and effective response to emergencies.”
He also highlighted SBN 2451, known as the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which he co-sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate.
Based on the Mandatory Evacuation Center bill Go filed earlier, the proposed legislation underscores the necessity of establishing mandatory evacuation centers in provinces and municipalities.
“Ating alalayan ang ating mga evacuees kung ano ang makakatulong sa kanila. Importante, safe sila. As a senator, nag-file ako ng mandatory evacuation center para pagdating ng panahon ay hindi tayo mabibigla. Mayroon sana tayong malinis, maayos at dedicated na mga evacuation center sa mga probinsya at sa mga munisipyo, para hindi magamit ang mga paaralan, hindi maantala ang pag-aaral ng mga kabataan. Iyan talaga ang aking isinusulong,” he explained in a previous interview while visiting Panglao, Bohol.
“Sana mayroon tayong departamento na nakatutok para sa mga disaster na coordinated with LGUs.”
“Mayroon rin akong isinusulong, itong Department of Disaster Resilience. Importante ito na maging batas. Bill pa ito ngayon sa Senado na sana mayroon tayong departamento na nakatutok para sa mga disaster na coordinated with LGUs,” Go added.
As he continues to push for disaster-resilient measures, Go’s immediate actions in response to the Kanlaon eruption demonstrate his unwavering commitment to the welfare and safety of affected residents.
The victims of Mt. Kanlaon’s eruption have seen firsthand the importance of his advocacy for a more robust disaster management framework, which promises a better-prepared and more resilient country.
“Hindi ako titigil sa pag-push nito dahil importante ito. Katulad ng nangyari sa Negros (Island), sa Kanlaon mayroon dapat na departamento na nakatutok diyan. Coordination with Phivolcs, coordination with NDRRMC. Tutok tayo, ang koordinasyon,” Go said.
“Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit, patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” he concluded.
