MANILA, September 19, 2018 — Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go today said he is in favor of enacting a Forced Evacuation Law in times of natural disasters to prevent the loss of life.
“Lalong-lalo na siguro sa ganitong pagkakataon alam naman natin parating ‘yung bagyo, sang-ayon po ako dito kasi napakahirap talaga,” Go said.
(I’m in favor of this. It’s really difficult, especially on occasions like this when we already know there is a storm coming in.)
The proposed Forced Evacuation Law allows the authorities to enforce mandatory evacuation and move out uncooperative residents in an identified danger area, even if this requires bodily carrying them to safe grounds.
A bill has been filed in Congress but it is still pending before the Committee on National Defense Security.
The last typhoon to hit the country, “Ompong,” caused the deaths of 81 people, many of them in Benguet.
Before the typhoon hit, Go advised the people to prioritize their own safety before their belongings and go to evacuation centers.
In his interview today, Go said President Rodrigo Duterte has directed the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) to put up more evacuation centers and improve existing ones.
“Ang paigtingin natin ay ‘yung evacuation centers po. Iyon din ang direktiba ng ating Pangulo na maglagay ng mga evacuation centers. Direktiba ni Pangulo sa HUDCC.” Go said.
(Let’s strive for the construction of more evacuation centers as this is part of the President’s directive to the HUDCC.)
“Inatasan ng ating Pangulo ‘yung HUDCC to build more evacuation centers po para sa mga ganitong pangyayari mayroon silang pagsisilungan. Pangalawa, inutusan rin ng ating Pangulo ‘yung DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) sa mga tulong tulad ng emergency shelter assistance, sa mga bahay po na nasira at mga bubong nito,” he said.
(Our President instructed HUDCC to build more evacuation centers so that the victims will have shelter in times of natural disasters. He also instructed DSWD to extend assistance such as emergency shelter assistance for victims who lost their houses.).
Go also urged local officials to be more prepared for natural disasters.
“Sana po ay tuwing may mga preparations sa bagyo dapat ang local officials po ang mangunguna sa preparasyon,” he said.
(During calamities, the local officials must be at the forefront of preparations.) ###
