“Prayoridad ko ang tumulong sa nangangailangan, higit pa sa pangangampanya [My priority is helping those who are needy, more than campaigning].”
This was the statement given by former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) and aspiring senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go as he joined his supporters in visiting the fire survivors of Punta, Sta. Ana in Manila, where about eight structures were burned down and about 30 families lost their homes.
Photo from the office of Bong Go.
Upon arriving, Go and his supporters listened to the concerns of the victims and assured them that private individuals have committed to give out grocery items, food packs, meals, and other forms of assistance to the affected families.
Go also assured the residents of Punta, Sta. Ana that former colleagues from various governent agencies like DSWD, Pagcor, PCSO, and NHA will be requested to deliver additional assistance to the fire victims.
“May mga pribado akong kaibigan na nangakong tutulong; pati ang (mga ahensya ng) gobyerno, tutulong. Nandito po ako dahil sabi ko sa inyo, tutulong at tutulong ako sa mga nasunugan. Kahit pa panahon ito ng pangangampanya, uunahin ko po kayo,” Go told the victims of the fire in Sta. Ana.
(I have friends from the private sector who vowed to help; those from the government they will also help. I am here because I have said that I will help those who became victims of fire. Even this is the campaign period, I will put you first.)
Apart from providing help to fire survivors, Go joined TODA drivers and operators in a boodle fight. He ate home-cooked food with them, traded stories, and expressed solidarity with them in trying to earn a decent living legally and drug-free.
Photo from the office of Bong Go.
Go also took time to talk to the residents of Sta. Ana regarding his plan of dealing with healthcare service delivery issues in the country, with the Malasakit Center program being vital in improving healthcare services.
“One-stop shop po ito. Sa iisang lugar, nandoon na ang mga opisina ng gobyerno tulad ng DOH, DSWD, PCSO, at PhilHealth na handang tumulong at magmalasakit sa may sakit,” Go explained.
Photo from the office of Bong Go.
“Pera po ninyo ‘yan, ibinibalik lang sa inyo sa pamamagitan ng maayos at libreng serbisyong medikal. At basta Pilipino, qualified [This is coming from your own money, we are just giving it back to you through a free and orderly delivery of medical services],” he added.
The Malasakit Center, a program of the Duterte administration, is a one-stop shop program where DOH, DSWD, PCSO, PhilHealth, and other government satellite offices are put together in one area to ease the process for patients in need of quick medical and financial assistance.
Former Special Assistant to the President Bong Go reiterates his commitment to help those who are in need during his visit in Manila.
Go, who was integral in starting the Malasakit Center program while working as the top aide of President Rodrigo Duterte, aims to put the Malasakit Center program into legislation so that more provinces and urban areas in the Philippines can have a center of its own to cater to the medical and financial needs of local patients.
A senatorial candidate in the 2019 midterm elections, Go has a legislative agenda with programs for agriculture, housing, improved health service delivery, education, long-term sports development, localized peace talks, anti-drug and crime drive, anti-corruption drive, barangay welfare, creation of a Department of OFWs, as well as senior citizen concerns.
Aside from supporting President Rodrigo Duterte and his initiatives, Go reiterated that he strongly supports the President’s call for clean and honest elections as well as guaranteed to campaign in accordance with Philippine laws and Comelec regulations.
“Sinusuportahan ko po si Pangulong Duterte at ang mga programa sa ilalim ng kanyang administrasyon. Sinusuportahan ko rin ang panawagan niya para sa malinis at patas na halalan. Makakaasa naman po kayo na lalaban po tayo nang patas at naaayon sa batas [I am supporting President Duterte and the programs under his administration. I am also supporting his call to have a clean and fair election. Rest assured I will fight fair and according to law],” Go reaffirmed.
Go reiterated that he does intend to serve the Filipino people and will do so regardless of what happens in the future.
“Maraming salamat sa inyong suporta kay Pangulong Duterte at sa akin. Noon, ngayon, at kung saan man ako dalhin ng aking tadhana, ako po ang magiging tulay ninyo kay Pangulong Duterte. Wala kaming ibang hangarin, wala kaming ibang interes, kung hindi kabutihan ng bawat Pilipino. Mahal po namin ang kapwa Pilipino. Maraming salamat po.
(Thank you all for supporting President Duterte and me. Yesterday, today and wherever fate brings me, I will always be your connection with President Duterte. We do not have any wish or interest but a better life for every Filipino. We love our fellow Filipino. Thank you so much.) /jpv