Disaster resilience advocate Senator Christopher “Bong” Go lauded the signing of the newly enacted Republic Act No. 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, underscoring its critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of Filipinos during natural calamities.
Republic Act No. 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, mandates the establishment of safe, permanent, and well-equipped evacuation centers across the country. Go co-sponsored and principally authored the law in the Senate.
He attended the signing ceremony on December 6 at the Malacañang Palace. On the same day, Republic Act No. 12077, or the “Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act,” which Go co-sponsored and co-authored, was also signed into law.
Speaking about his years-long advocacy, Go emphasized the urgent need for dedicated facilities to provide refuge for disaster-affected communities, ensuring that evacuees will no longer have to endure inadequate, temporary shelters.
Go outlined key features of the centers as stipulated in the law, including clean sanitation facilities, sleeping quarters, emergency supply storage, and provisions for vulnerable sectors such as children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
“Matagal ko na pong ipinaglalaban ang pagkakaroon ng maayos at komportableng evacuation centers. Sa wakas, naisabatas na ang panukalang nagbibigay ng dignidad sa ating mga kababayang apektado ng sakuna,” Go said.
“Masakit makitang ang pinaghirapan sa loob ng mahabang panahon ay naglahong parang bula. Mas masakit lalo na kung may nasawi. At sa tuwing may kalamidad, laging ang mga mahihirap nating kababayan ang pinakaapektado. Panahon na para hindi lang tiyakin ang kaligtasan at seguridad ng ating mga evacuee, kundi iangat din ang kanilang dignidad. Dumadaan na nga sila sa krisis, ang mga naghihirap ay dapat huwag nang mas pahirapan pa,” he earlier explained.
He recalled his extensive travels to disaster-stricken areas, witnessing firsthand the plight of evacuees forced to shelter in unsuitable locations such as schools, gymnasiums, and basketball courts. He stressed how these setups often result in further hardships for displaced families, including disrupted education for children and unsanitary living conditions.
“Napakalungkot pong makita ang ating mga kababayan na nagsisiksikan sa hindi angkop na lugar. Gaya ng mga eskwelahan, natitigil ang klase ng mga bata; sa covered courts, wala namang sapat na sanitation. Kailangan po natin ng permanenteng evacuation centers para sa kanilang kaligtasan at kaginhawaan,” he stated.
Go outlined key features of the centers as stipulated in the law, including clean sanitation facilities, sleeping quarters, emergency supply storage, and provisions for vulnerable sectors such as children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
“Ang mga evacuation center ay dapat kumpleto—may malinis na palikuran, maayos na tulugan, at sapat na pagkain at first aid kits. Lahat ito ay kailangan upang mapangalagaan ang kanilang kalusugan at dignidad habang pansamantala silang lumikas,” he explained.
The senator also pointed out the systemic challenges brought about by using schools as evacuation centers, which not only disrupt classes but also create additional stress for the evacuees and the broader community.
“Kung ginagamit ang eskwelahan, naaantala ang pag-aaral ng mga bata. Nasasakripisyo rin ang kabuhayan ng mga pamilyang naaapektuhan. Dapat itong mabigyan ng agarang solusyon,” he said.
By providing dedicated evacuation facilities, Go highlighted that communities can better recover from disasters without compromising education, public health, or livelihoods.
Beyond the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, Go reiterated his support for the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR), a measure he has consistently championed. The DDR aims to unify and streamline disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts across the country.
“Panahon na para magtayo ng iisang ahensya na nakatutok sa disaster resilience. Kailangan natin ng mas maayos na koordinasyon at mas mabilis na pagtugon sa panahon ng sakuna,” he said, citing his filed Senate Bill No. 188.
The DDR proposal includes establishing a centralized disaster response system, operational centers, and research institutes to improve the nation’s resilience to calamities. Go emphasized the importance of investing in preparedness rather than waiting for disasters to strike.
“Bago pa dumating ang bagyo, mayroon na hong makikipag-coordinate sa LGUs, the preposition of goods at ilikas po ang mga kababayan natin sa ligtas na lugar. At pag-alis ng bagyo, restoration of normalcy kaagad, maibalik kaagad sa normal ang pamumuhay ng mga kababayan natin. Yan po ang layunin ng Department of Disaster Resilience,” Go said.
“Huwag nating hintayin na madagdagan pa ang mga trahedya bago tayo kumilos. Ngayon na ang tamang panahon para maghanda,” he urged.
As the nation faces increasing threats from climate change and natural disasters, Go’s push for mandatory evacuation centers and enhanced disaster resilience remains a cornerstone of his legislative agenda. With the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act now a reality, he expressed hope that no Filipino would have to endure unsafe and unsanitary conditions during emergencies.
“Ang batas na ito ay isang malaking hakbang para sa kaligtasan at kaginhawaan ng ating mga kababayan. Ngunit tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang ating laban para sa mas matatag na bansa laban sa sakuna,” Go concluded.
