Yap urges full protection of disaster workers, additional benefits, and scholarships to orphaned children

PROTECTION FOR DRRM WORKERS. Benguet lawmaker Eric Go Yap condoles with the family of a fallen first responder. Yap is seeking to amend portions of RA 10121, particularly section 13, seeking to institutionalize protection for those serving in the front lines, providing death benefits, including funeral services, and extending educational allowances to their children to support them through their studies. Office of Cong. Eric Go Yap photo

In the wake of the death of two first responders in La Trinidad, Benguet Rep. Eric Go Yap seeks to amend the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (RA 10121).

Yap said while the law strengthens the country’s disaster risk reduction and management system, RA 10121 needs updating as he seeks to institutionalize protection for those who serve on the frontlines following the death of Redentor Roldan and Rex Gayang.

Roldan and Gayang lost their lives in the line of duty after the loader they were riding in fell into a 100-meter ravine while responding to a landslide-clearing operation in Bineng, Benguet. Both men sustained critical injuries and were declared dead on arrival at Benguet General Hospital.

“RA 10121 needs an amendment, una, in cases like these, the sending agency will carry the responsibility ng pagbabayad ng financial assistance, paano kung isang maliit ng CSO lang yun na gustong tumulong? Anong ipambabayad nila? Non-negotiable naman sa akin yung walang ibibigay sa namatayan – dapat meron. Kaya dapat maglaan ng pondo ang national government taon taon para dyan,” Yap said.

The Benguet lawmaker is set to file a bill on Monday, August 4, amending RA 10121, particularly section 13, seeking to institutionalize protection for those serving in the front lines, providing death benefits, including funeral services, and extending educational allowances to their children to support them through their studies.

“Lahat ng emergency responders natin, volunteers, rescuers, should be covered by insurance. Si Rex at Redentor ay halimbawa ng maraming kaso na namatay in the performance of their duty, pero we are not sure yet if their families will ever get something in return sa pagkawala nila, ” Yap added.

In his proposed bill, Yap said Roldan and Gayang’s deaths underscore the vulnerability of emergency responders who are often the first to arrive at dangerous areas in the aftermath of storms, floods, and earthquakes despite minimal protection and insurance.

Yap added these responders, many of whom are government workers or accredited volunteers, who face life-threatening conditions to keep communities safe and operational during and after disasters.

“Also, yung mga namamatay, may mga anak yan na nawalan ng source ng pambayad ng tuition o allowance sa school, the government should take care sa mga naiwang bata by giving them educational assistance hanggang sa makatapos sila. It is the least we could do para naman mabawasan yung bigat on their part,” Yap further said. ###