Duterte credits Bong Go for conceptualizing Malasakit Center

President Rodrigo Duterte (right) campaigned for his former special assistant, Christopher “Bong” Go (left) and the rest of the PDP-Laban senatorial bets in Cauayan City in Isabela. (Contributed photo)

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela – President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday credited his former special assistant, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, as the one who conceptualized the Malasakit Center as he endorsed Go’s candidacy and the rest of the administration senatorial ticket here.

“Yang Malasakit kanya yan. Siya talaga nag-konsepto niyan,” Duterte said in his message during the rally of the senatorial ticket of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) at the Francisco L. Dy Memorial Coliseum. The President showed up at the rally wearing Go’s campaign t-shirt.

The President said the idea for the center came about after he asked Go to find a way to provide immediate health-related assistance to the needy without having to pass through the bureaucratic grid.

Go’s solution was to bring together in one room all concerned government agencies such as the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and PhilHealth.

“I tell you, you won’t go wrong with him,” the President has been saying past speeches as he vouched for the integrity of his former top aide.

Aside from being very honest, the President stressed that Go is a very hard-working person.

“Iyan si Bong Go, ang tanging bisyo ay magserbisyo,” he said.

Early into the senatorial campaign, Go made a commitment to continue the effort for genuine change that the President had started.

“Ating itutuloy ang pagbabagong sinimulan ni Pangulong Duterte para sa kabutihan ng bawat Pilipino,” Go had said.

Responding to the President, Isabela Gov. Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said the province had always been a staunch supporter of the Duterte administration from the start as he also committed the full support of the local leaders for Go and the rest of the PDP-Laban senatorial ticket.

“Makakaasa po kayo mahal na Pangulo, ang inyo pong mga iniendorsong senador, magtutulong-tulong ang mga local officials para matiyak na lumabas ang inyong mga kandidato dito po sa aming lalawigan ng Isabela,” Dy said.

For his part, Go thanked the leaders of the province and its residents for their support.

“Sa lahat ng mga kaibigan ko dito, mga kapatid ko from Isabela, salamat po sa inyong mainit na pagtanggap sa amin dito,” Go said.

He stressed that institutionalizing the Malasakit Center through an appropriate law is top in his legislative agenda to enable the establishment of such centers in more provinces and key urban areas of the country and allow it to be a continuing program of the government.

“Gusto ko po itong isabatas para po makinabang naman ang ating mga kababayan sa pera nila. Pera nyo po ito, ibinabalik lang namin sa pamamagitan ng serbisyong mabilis, maayos at maaasahan,” Go stressed.

At present, there are already 29 Malasakit Centers operating in various areas of the country.

Go likewise vowed to promote the welfare of the barangay officials through a Magna Carta that would provide them not only additional benefits but also build their capacity to serve their community better.

“Naiintindihan ko po ang trabaho ng mga kapitan. Kayo ang pinakaimportante kasi kayo ang nagdadala ng basic services, lahat ng problema kayo ang unang nag-aayos. Isusulong ko po yung Magna Carta for barangay officials para sa kapakanan ninyo,” Go added.

Go, who also vowed to support the programs and policies of the Duterte administration, said he would not waste any opportunity to serve the people, particularly those who really need help.

“Minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano ang [mabuting] pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa gawin na po natin ngayon. Wala po kaming ibang hangarin ni Pangulong Duterte kundi kabutihan ng bawat Pilipino dahil mahal namin kayo,” Go said.

Other components of Go’s legislative agenda include programs for agriculture, anti-illegal drugs and criminality, housing, education, long-term sports development, localized peace talks, fire protection and prevention, anti-corruption, the creation of a Department of OFW, and improved benefits for senior citizens. /atm