Bong Go, PDP bets consolidate strength in S. Cotabato

Senatorial candidate Bong Go lay out his plans to voters in Koronadal City on Tuesday, March 26, 2019. (Contributed photo)

KORONADAL CITY – Former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and the senatorial candidates of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) continued to consolidate their strength in Mindanao, particularly in South Cotabato, by staging a rally in this city on Tuesday.

“Maraming salamat po sa mga kababayan ko dito sa Koronadal City,” said Go, as he was welcomed to the stage by supporters chanting his name.

[Thank you very much to our countrymen here in Koronodal City.]

Go assured the residents of the city and the province that he would remain faithful and supportive of President Rodrigo Duterte, including his programs to bring genuine change to the country.

“Ipagpapatuloy ko po ang pagbabagong nasimulan ni Pangulong Duterte,” said Go.

In particular, Go reiterated his support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against criminality, corruption and illegal drugs.

[I will continue making the changes started by President Duterte.]

Go said that, if elected to the Senate, he would support and push for development programs in the country, particularly in Mindanao.

“Marami pong nakalinyang mga proyekto para mapaganda ang Mindanao sa ilalim ng ‘Build, Build, Build’ program ni Pangulong Duterte. Suportado ko po ang mga ito. Kung mas marami kaming taga-Mindanao sa Senado magtutulungan kami para mabigyan ng sapat na pondo at masiguradong mai-implement na mabuti ang mga development projects, lalo na dito sa Mindanao,” he said.

[Many projects have been lined up to beautify Mindanao under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program of President Duterte. I’m supporting all these. If there would be more people from Mindanao in the Senate we can help each other to get enough funding and to ensure the implementation of development projects, especially here in Mindanao.]

Go added that it was about time that Mindanaoans were properly represented in the Senate to ensure inclusive growth in the whole country.

“Sa lahat ng aking mga kapatid dito sa Mindanao, nandito po ako para tumulong. Tulad ni Pangulong Duterte, layunin ko rin magkaroon ng gobyernong nagmamalasakit sa tao at nagbibigay ng mabilis, maayos at maaasahang serbisyo para sa bawat Pilipino,” he said.

[To all my brothers and sisters here in Mindanao, I’m here to help. Like President Duterte, I aim to have a government that will serve the people and that will give quick, proper and reliable service to every Filipino.]

Go stressed that, as a Mindanaoan himself, he understood the situation in these areas. So, he said he was aiming for the same goal of achieving long-lasting peace and development in the whole of Mindanao.

With a few exceptions, the entire Mindanao — including South Cotabato — supported then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in the 2016 presidential elections. Koronadal is the capital city of South Cotabato.

South Cotabato remains a bailiwick of the administration. The top officials of the province are members of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) that allied with the PDP-Laban to back Duterte in 2016. These include Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, Vice Gov. Vicente De Jesus, 1st District Rep. Pedro Acharon, Jr., and 2nd District Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez

Last March 24, Go and the PDP-Laban candidates campaigned in Cagayan De Oro City, the capital of Misamis Oriental, which also backed Duterte’s candidacy in 2016.

Likewise, Go said he would work to promote the welfare of village officials who are at the forefront in the delivery of government services through a Magna Carta for Barangay Officials and look as well into the possibility of extending the term of incumbent barangay officials whose terms were shortened due to the postponements of the previous barangay elections.

“Alam ko po ang trabaho ng mga barangay officials. Nung nasa Davao pa ako bilang assistant ni Pangulong Duterte sila ang madalas kong kausap mula umaga hanggang gabi, dahil pag may problema yung tao sa barangay sila ang kumikilos para makahingi ng tulong sa munisipyo,” Go explained.

[I know the work of barangay officials. When I was in Davao as asssistant of President Duterte, they were the ones I frequently talked with from morning till night because of barangay residents have problems they are the ones that ask for help at the municipal hall.]

Go said that, among other things, he would want to improve access to quality health care, particularly through the establishment of Malasakit Center, a program of the Duterte administration based on his idea.

The Malasakit Center simplifies and speeds up the process of providing medical and financial assistance to poor patients by bringing together in one room all concerned government agencies such as the DOH, DSWD, PCSO and Philhealth.

“Ito po ang gusto kong maisabatas pagdating ng panahon,” said Go, who noted that such a law would not only enable the establishment of Malasakit Center in more provinces and key urban centers in the county but would also ensure its continuity even after the Duterte administration.

[This is what I would want to make into a law when the time comes.]

According to him, there are already 34 Malasakit Centers operating in various areas of the country. The Malasakit Center serving the people of South Cotabato, located at the Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital, was the 22nd such center established in the country.

“Hindi po ako politiko. Kaya hindi ako nangangako sa inyo. Hintayin niyo na lang po ang serbisyong tatak-Duterte,” said Go as he vowed to serve the Filipino people the same way he served President Duterte.

[I’m not a politician. So won’t make promises. Just wait for service that bears the Duterte trademark.]

In endorsing Go’s candidacy, President Duterte said the Filipinos couldn’t go wrong with Go — who is not only an extremely honest man but a man dedicated to his work.

“Saan man po ako ipadpad ng aking tadhana, asahan ninyo na patuloy ninyo akong magiging tulay kay Pangulong Duterte. Wala po kaming ibang hangarin ni Pangulong Duterte kundi ang kabutihan ng Pilipino dahil mahal namin kayo. Maraming salamat po,” Go said.

[Wherever my destiny takes me, you can rely on me to your link to President Duterte. President Dutete and I have no other wish but the good fo the Filipino because we love you. Thank you very much.]

Other important components of Go’s legislative agenda include agriculture, education, housing, long-term sports development, fire protection and prevention, localized peace talks, creation of a Department of OFW and additional support for senior citizens. /atm