Bong Go warns vs possible water crisis

SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go Photo by Bibo Nueva España /Senate PRIB

By Javier Joe Ismael, Manila Times

April 15, 2023 

SEN. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go is urging the government to strengthen its reforestation and greening programs as the reported possibility of a water crisis looms.

In a chance interview after aiding fire victims in Parañaque City on Wednesday, April 12, Go, a member of Senate Committees on Agriculture and on Environment, noted the importance of enhancing the country's greening efforts, involving local communities, local government units and the private sector to address growing concerns over the country's water supply.

"If there are more trees in our forests, more rainwater will be accumulated in the soil," the senator said.

Go acknowledged the move of the previous administration of then-president Rodrigo Duterte to make irrigation free for farmers.

He, however, said the incoming El Niño phenomenon may make it difficult to release sufficient volume of water from dams, affecting the farmers' ability to plant their crops.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has issued a warning that the country may experience El Niño starting in the latter part of this year and persisting until 2024.

The weather phenomenon can cause a prolonged drought and significantly impact the country's agricultural crops, a vital source of livelihood for many Filipinos.

The senator expressed concern for the plight of farmers and called on government agencies to take action.

He called on the government to enhance and build more water-related infrastructure, such as irrigation canals and water pumping stations, to help support the agriculture industry.

"The effect of climate change has intensified. We cannot 100 percent rely on rain to irrigate our farmlands, especially during the summer dry season," Go said.

He also called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) to provide alternative sources of income or assistance to farmers who could be affected by the possible water crisis.

As part of its 2023 El Niño Mitigation and Adaptation Plan, the DA has announced that it will promote several measures to help farmers cope with the anticipated drought.

These measures include encouraging the use of organic fertilizers, promoting the use of drought-tolerant and early-maturing crops and adjusting planting calendars to optimize crop yields.

A consistent advocate for stronger agricultural support systems and infrastructure in the country, Go co-authored Republic Act 11901, which expanded the financing system for agriculture, fisheries and rural development.

He also supported programs to enhance irrigation, expand the National Rice Program and combat agricultural smuggling.

Additionally, the senator backed proposals to convert idle government lands into agricultural areas to boost food production.

He cited the vital role of farmers in ensuring food security and he aims to provide them with the necessary support to succeed.

Go co-sponsored Senate Bill 1850 or the proposed "New Agrarian Emancipation Act," which seeks to condone almost P58 billion worth of loans that agrarian reform beneficiaries incurred in owning lands under the government's Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program or from other agrarian reform programs.

The measure is now awaiting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s signature to become a law.

Samal flood victims get assistance from Bong Go

By Javier Joe Ismael November 5, 2022 

SEN. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go continues to push for improved access to basic services, shelter and other amenities for victims, especially in areas where calamities frequently occur.

In this regard, the lawmaker has refiled Senate Bill 193 which provides for the establishment of a dedicated evacuation center in every municipality, city and province that can accommodate victims and meet their basic needs during emergencies to help them cope and recover faster.

"With the typhoon season, it is expected that many affected communities will be needing evacuation centers. As the pandemic continues to threaten the health of many Filipinos, we need to scale up our efforts to keep them safe from harm and other health hazards," said Go.

"We should ensure that the facilities for the evacuees are Covid-ready and disaster resilient. Let's act on it. Let us not wait for the calamities and the rise in Covid-19 cases will simultaneously occur," he continued.

On Monday, October 31, the senator sent his team to help the flood-affected households in the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos), Davao del Norte. 

The senator's staff visited the evacuation center in Barangay Peñaplata where they gave grocery packs, vitamins, masks, and snacks to 74 flood victims. In addition, they gave away bicycles, cellular phones, shoes, basketballs and volleyballs to select individuals.

Personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also gave financial assistance to each affected household to hasten their recovery.

"My countrymen, let us help one another because belongings can be bought. Money can be earned. However, the money we earn cannot buy life. This is why I always remind flood victims and other victims of calamities and disasters that what is important is that we are alive," said Go in a video conference to the victims.

"A lost life is a lost life forever. Let us be careful with our lives and health," he added.

As chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go likewise offered support to victims who need medical care. He also informed them that there are Malasakit Centers at Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City or Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City where they may conveniently avail medical aid from the government.

The centers are one-stop shops which streamline the process of requesting medical assistance from the relevant agencies, namely, the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. To date, 152 Malasakit Centers have assisted millions of poor and indigent patients nationwide.

He was also instrumental in the construction of the Igacos Super Health Center to further improve access to health services in Samal Island.

Super Health Centers are medium versions of polyclinics and are bigger than rural health units, which offer basic services such as out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: X-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit, among others.

Go, as vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, has also supported the water system project in Barangay Pangubatan, Libertad and San Remigio, Kinawitnon and Miranda; construction of bypass road Jct. Babak-Samal-Kaputian Road Brgy. San Antonio, Tagpopongan, Phase 2, Igacos Circumferential Road; and the construction of a two-story multipurpose building and a farm-to-market road in Barangay Tambo.

He likewise supported the construction of several roads, including the road from Crossing Toril, Babak to Barangay Sto. Niño, Babak District; the road from San Agustin Elementary School to Maximo Arellano Elementary School, Barangay Sto. Niño, Babak District; and the road at the Port of Barangay Sta. Cruz to Barangay Linosutan, Talicud Island, Kaputian District.

Other initiatives he supported in the province are the rechanneling of a river, construction of a river wall, and concreting of the Sitio Bunsalag to Sitio Misulok-Sulok road in Talaingod; construction of a concrete revetment along the Tagum-Libuganon River Basin and dike along the Sadpudon Creek in Carmen; construction of multipurpose buildings in Kapalong and New Corella; and renovation of the public terminal, public parks and plaza in New Corella.

The other day, Go's team likewise visited and provided aid to more than a thousand typhoon victims in Maguindanao.

Magna carta for Filipino seafarers pushed

By Javier Joe Ismael

SEN. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go on Saturday pushed for the passage of the proposed Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers as he emphasized the need to recognize the rights and contributions of the country's seafarers.

Go had earlier filed Senate Bill 1191 which aims to provide for a Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers to secure the right of the country's seafarers to decent and humane employment and set a guide for seafarers on training, overseas employment, and retirement.

The proposed measure seeks to institute mechanisms for the enforcement and protection of Filipino seafarers and provide the compulsory benefits that they deserve.

"The Philippines has been the primary supplier of maritime labor and considered the manning capital of seafarers globally since 1987. Of the 1.5 million mariners worldwide, 25 percent are Filipinos, making them the single biggest nationality bloc in the maritime industry," Go said.

"Despite the risk associated with a seafaring job, many Filipinos still chose the profession and gambled their life on board just to provide a better life for their families. Filipino seafarers' remittances have been genuinely beneficial to the Philippine economy. In fact, they contributed $6.54 billion or around 21 percent of the total OFW remittances in 2021," he said in a statement.

The senator underscored the need for the country to enhance and strengthen its measures in fulfilling its duties and obligations as the 30th Member State to ratify the International Maritime Labor Convention of 2006 (MLC).

"It is high time for the government to pass an additional piece of legislation that would benefit Filipino seafarers and give them rights corresponding to the MLC standards," Go stressed.

The Magna Carta codifies the rights of the seafarers into a single reference law, including their right to just terms and conditions of work, self-organization, educational advancement and training, information and consultation, fair treatment in the event of an accident, and against discrimination.

It also provides standard terms and conditions of employment for seafarers, including provisions related to wages, hours of work and rest, leaves, and social welfare benefits. It likewise mandates ship owners to provide medical care, both onboard and ashore, as well as a financial security system to assist our seafarers in case of injuries.