Bong Go vows to press fight against poverty; warmly welcomed in Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental

Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go

MANILA, Philippines — Former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Monday vowed to press the fight against poverty as he went around Digos City in Davao del Sur and Malita town in Davao Occidental.

Go, who hails from Davao City, received a warm welcome from the residents of Digos and Malita on the second half of his four-city motorcade around the Davao region.

“Maraming salamat po sa mga kababayan ko sa Digos at sa Malita. Nakakawala po ng pagod kapag nakikita mo ang ganitong klase ng mainit na suporta, na kasing init ng panahon ngayon,” Go said, noting the large number of residents who went out in the streets to welcome his convoy, expressing their support.

Go began the first half of his motorcade from the city of Tagum in Davao del Norte and proceeded later to Mati City in Davao Oriental.

Go had assured the people in Davao region that he remains firm in support of President Rodrigo Duterte as well as his programs and policies.

Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go is warmly welcomed in his home region in Davao during a campaign sortie.

“Ipagpapatuloy ko po ng mga pagbabagong nasimulan ni Pangulong Duterte. Galit si Pangulong Duterte sa kriminal, galit din ako sa kriminal; galit si Pangulong Duterte sa corrupt, galit din ako sa mga corrupt; galit si Pangulong Duterte sa durugista, galit din po ako sa durugista.

Suportado ko po ang kampanya niya laban sa mga ito,” Go said.

Go earlier said in Tagum that while there are still many places in the country he has yet to visit, he could not afford to miss a meeting with the people of his home region.

“Gusto ko po na kahit papano po makita man lang nila ako bago po darating ang araw ng eleksyon,” Go had said.

Development for Mindanao

Apart from his support for the core policies of President Duterte, Go said that if elected to the Senate, he would help in the efforts to bring development in the region to lift many people out of poverty.

“Marami pong inilaang proyekto si Pangulong Duterte sa ilalim ng Build, Build, Build program na siguradong pakikinabangan at maghahatid ng kaginhawaan at kaunlaran para sa mga mamamayan ng Davao region,” Go said.

Among others, he cited the Mindanao Railway Project. Phase 1 of the plan consists of a P359-billion, 102-kilometer railway connecting Davao City to Digos City (Davao del Sur) and Tagum City (Davao del Norte). It is part of the entire P85-billion rail project connecting other major cities in Mindanao.

The design and construction of the Project will begin by the third quarter this year and is expected to be completed by the end of 2021. The target date for operation is in 2022.

On the other hand, the Davao City Expressway Project, costing P25.6-billion, consists of a 60-kilometer expressway from Bukidnon-Davao National Highway in Davao City to Digos-Sultan Kudarat Road.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar opened the said project last February 8, 2019

“Maliban po sa mga infrastructure project, meron ding programa ang administrasyon para tulungan ang mga mahihirap nating kababayan, lalong-lalo na po ang mga magsasaka natin,” Go said.

He noted that a total of 4,525.5617 hectares of land were distributed to 2,095 Agrarian Reform beneficiaries in the region. The distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership (CLOAs) aims to improve the livelihood of the local farmers as part of the government’s implementation of programs in alleviating poverty and assuring land security for the beneficiaries.

The government also provided skills and livelihood training for farmers and their family for additional source of livelihood, such as the Salt Production Training conducted last year in Malita, Davao Occidental.

Malasakit Center

“Isusulong ko rin po ang improved medical services, kasama na ang pagtatayo ng mga Malasakit Center. Gusto ko pong maisabatas ito pagdating ng panahon para tuloy-tuloy ang
programa at madagdagan pa ang ating mga Malasakit Center,” Go said.

A program of the Duterte administration based on Go’s idea, the Malasakit Center makes it easier and faster for poor patients to avail of medical and financial assistance from the government by bringing together in one room concerned agencies such as the DOH, DSWD, PCSO, and Philhealth.

“Asahan po ninyo, patuloy ninyo akong magiging tulay kay Pangulong Duterte. Wala po kaming ibang hangarin ni Pangulong DUtette kundi kabutihan ng bawat Pilipino dahil mahal namin kayo,” Go said.

Other priority concerns under Go’s legislative agenda include programs for agriculture, housing for the poor, education, long-term sports development, fire protection and prevention, localized peace talks, barangay welfare, creation of a Department of OFW, and improved benefits for senior citizens. /ee