SENATOR Christopher ‘Bong’ Go has re-filed two important bills that were not passed under the 18th Congress, the first seeking to provide subsidy for those renting their present dwelling and the other pushing for the creation of the country’s first ‘Center for Disease Control’ (CDC).
In re-filing the Rental Housing Subsidy Bill, Go underscored the need to address homelessness in the country and the necessity of immediately acting on the challenges faced by homeless Filipinos nationwide.
“Sa pag-iikot ko ng bansa, nakita ko po kung gaano kahirap sa ating mga kababayang tinamaan ng bagyo o kaya naman pagputok ng bulkan ang makakuha ulit ng kanilang matitirhan.
“Kung nais po talaga natin mabigyan ng komportableng buhay ang bawat isa, bigyan natin sila ng komportable at ligtas na pabahay,” stressed Go.
“Nakita po natin sa datos na milyun-milyong Pilipino ang walang natutulugan tuwing gabi. Mga kapwa kong senador, lakasan pa po natin ang ating suporta upang maiahon natin ang ating mga kapwa Pilipino mula sa mga krisis na ating kinakaharap,” he added.
Under the proposed measure, a housing and social protection program will be developed that will provide disaster victims better and more affordable access to the formal housing market through the provision of rental subsidies provided by the government.
Primarily, the proposed measure seeks to address the plight of displaced families caused by various crises and calamities, whether natural or man-made disasters, as well as those families who cannot afford or build their own homes.
Eligible beneficiaries shall receive a rental subsidy, the amount of which shall be determined by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), taking into consideration, among others, the prevailing rental rates in their respective locality and economic standing and potential of the family.
Rental subsidy shall be granted to eligible beneficiaries for a maximum of five years or upon their availment or acquisition of permanent housing, whichever comes first.
Apart from DHSUD, the National Housing Authority (NHA) shall also be tasked to certify the eligibility of the beneficiaries under the program, and coordinate with other concerned agencies for the identification of areas housing persons who need immediate resettlement.
“Ngayon na nasa gitna tayo ng pandemya, lumalala ang kalagayan nila. Madalas, mas takot pa ang mga kababayan natin na mawalan ng matitirahan kaysa magkaroon ng COVID-19.
“Hindi ito tama kaya ipaglalaban ko na magkaroon ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino ng isang maayos at disenteng bahay,” vowed Go.
Corollary to this, Go also filed a separate bill establishing a housing and social protection program for Filipinos and creating a National Housing Development, Production and Financing Program.
“Dapat po magkaroon ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino ng isang maayos at disenteng tirahan. Pangako po naming dalawa ni dating Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte, na bigyan ng mas maginhawang buhay ang bawat Pilipino, lalung-lalo na po ang mga mahihirap,” Go vowed.
On the other hand, Go said he would also make sure that his measure creating the CDC would be given priority by the incoming 19th Congress.
Underscoring how the COVID-19 pandemic was a wake-up call for the government to improve the country’s healthcare system, Go has renewed his call for the establishment of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as part of many efforts to ensure that the government can be one-step ahead in protecting the Filipinos from health threats.
“Ipagpatuloy lang po natin ang pag-invest sa ating healthcare system. Hindi po natin alam kung ano pa pong krisis tulad ng COVID-19 pandemic ang dadating sa ating buhay,” urged Go who serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography.
Go emphasized that with the continuing emergence and reemergence of communicable diseases, the government should have a more proactive approach in addressing health crises.
He expressed confidence that thru the CDC, the country would be able to deal more effectively and effectively in combatting communicable diseases.
“In other countries, the Centers for Disease Control have been instrumental in this pandemic. As experts in the field of infectious diseases, they are at the forefront of the health battle against COVID-19. It is high time for us to have our own CDC,” Go said.
Under the proposed bill, some of the major functions of the CDC will include investigating potential cases of public health emergency; enforcing regulations to prevent the spread of communicable diseases; procuring and distributing vaccines, antibiotics and other medical supplies; and working with other countries and international organizations to improve disease prevention and control systems and practices in the country.
Relatedly, Go also refiled a complementary measure to establish the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP).
The said bill also aims to strengthen the country’s capacity and ability to develop vaccines against highly pathogenic emerging viruses.
“These efforts are intended to avoid similar situations where poorer nations are left with fewer medical resources, particularly vaccines, to address pandemics as compared to their more developed countries that have early on invested in health sciences and medical research,” explained Go.