Sen. Bong Go extends assistance and relief support to Bagyong Basyang victims in Cagayan de Oro City

Affected families received cash assistance, along with relief support and flower tributes for bereaved relatives, as part of efforts to provide immediate help to those coping with loss and displacement following the storm.

Among those who perished during the landslide incident in Barangay Agusan were couple Paul Lariosa and Rufa Lariosa, as well as their nieces Rhea Love Saludo and Alliah Lariosa, according to local disaster officials. The landslide was triggered by intense rainfall that saturated the ground after days of continuous downpour.

Tropical Depression Basyang entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility in early February and affected several areas in the Visayas and Mindanao, bringing persistent rains that led to flooding, landslides, and forced evacuations in vulnerable communities.

In Northern Mindanao, weather authorities warned of heightened risks due to soil saturation and unstable slopes, particularly in upland and riverside barangays.

Go underscored the importance of providing timely assistance to families affected by disasters, especially those who lost loved ones and sources of livelihood.

“Sa ganitong mga pagkakataon, mahalaga na maramdaman ng mga apektadong pamilya na may tumutulong at umaalalay sa kanila,” Go said. “Ang agarang tulong, kahit pansamantala, ay malaking bagay para sa mga nawalan ng mahal sa buhay at tahanan.”

Go reiterated his continuing push for measures aimed at strengthening disaster resilience and housing support for Filipinos living in hazard-prone areas.

Go is the principal author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of permanent, disaster-resilient, and fully equipped evacuation centers nationwide. The measure seeks to provide safer and more dignified temporary shelters for families displaced by calamities.

“Kailangan nating siguruhin na ang mga evacuation center ay ligtas, maayos, at handang gamitin anumang oras,” Go said. “Hindi dapat nagiging peligro ang paglilikas ng mga pamilya kapag may sakuna.”

He has also refiled Senate Bill No. 173, or the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience Act, which seeks to establish a dedicated agency that will unify disaster risk reduction, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation efforts under one institution.

In addition, Go refiled SBN 415, or the proposed Rental Housing Subsidy Program, aimed at providing temporary shelter assistance to families displaced by disasters as they rebuild or transition to permanent housing.

“Anumang pagsubok ang ating haharapin sa susunod na mga araw, patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” Go said.