Go wants to institutionalize disaster response

SEN. Bong Go has urged local officials and the community to stay alert and prioritize safety following a magnitude 5.9 earthquake that hit parts of southern Mindanao early Sunday morning.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported the earthquake occurred off Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, at 12:11 a.m., followed by a subsequent magnitude 5.4 tremor at 12:50 a.m.

The initial quake was recorded as intensity 5 in Kiamba, Sarangani — strong enough to awaken residents, rattle objects and raise alarm among the local population.

Phivolcs categorized the quake as potentially damaging and advised the public to prepare for possible aftershocks.

Intensity 4, or moderately strong shaking, was also recorded in nearby areas, including Kalamansig in Sultan Kudarat; Tupi and T'boli in South Cotabato; and Maitum in Sarangani.

In response, Go urged communities to remain alert and to follow disaster protocols set by local government units and national agencies.

"Let's not ignore the warnings of experts. The safety of every Filipino should be our priority," Go said in Filipino. "I appeal to local officials — evacuation sites should be ready, coordination should be clear and action should be taken quickly if necessary."

A longtime advocate for disaster resilience, Go reiterated the importance of strengthening the country's disaster preparedness systems, especially in areas prone to earthquakes, typhoons and other calamities.

Over the years, he has championed several measures to institutionalize disaster response and housing support for affected families. Among these is Republic Act 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which was signed into law in December 2024. As the principal author and co-sponsor of the law, Go pushed for establishing permanent and well-equipped evacuation centers in every city and municipality across the country.

Go also filed Senate Bill (SB) 192, proposing a Rental Housing Subsidy Program to assist disaster victims in recovering and availing of temporary shelter through a rental subsidy. If passed into law, this measure seeks to ease the burden of families who lost their homes due to calamities, allowing them time and support to recover and transition into permanent housing.

Go has also pushed for the passage of his filed SB 188, or the Department of Disaster Resilience Act, to institutionalize a more unified and coordinated disaster management strategy. If passed into law, the proposed measure aims to create a national agency dedicated to formulating and implementing disaster risk reduction, emergency response and post-disaster rehabilitation policies.