Former Special Assistant to the President and senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has vowed to continue reaching out to the common people, particularly the poor, to understand their situation and provide them the assistance they need, stressing that service to people is service to God.
“Ang bisyo ko po ay magserbisyo. Wala po kaming ibang hangarin ni Pangulong Duterte kundi kabutihan ng bawat Pilipino dahil mahal namin kayo (Service to the people has become my habit. President Duterte and I have only the people’s welfare in mind because we love you),” Go said on Palm Sunday when he visited the Binondo Church before holding his motorcade in Manila and Pasay City.
He likewise called on all Filipinos to join the government’s fight against corruption.
Long before deciding to run for the Senate, Go had already embarked on a crusade of visiting the ordinary people, the urban poor, and victims of calamities such as fire, as part of his effort to serve the people.
“At asahan nyo po na patuloy po akong magse-seserbisyo, kahit saang eskinita po dito, sa Tondo, sa Port Area, Sta. Mesa, ginagawa ko yan noon, eh. Noon, ngayon at saan man po ako ipadpad ng aking tadhana, pangako ko po sa kanila na papasukin ko kahit saang eskinita para makapagserbisyo sa mga nangangailangan (Expect my service to the common people to continue, whether in the alleys of Tondo, Port Area, Sta. Mesa as I’ve been doing this before. Whatever my destiny is, I will continue to serve the poor and the needy),” Go said.
“Sabi nila delikado daw, hindi ako natatakot. Sabi ko, di patayin nyo ako. Basta gagawin ko ang trabaho ko na maglingkod sa kapwa (I’m not afraid even if they said that I’m venturing on dangerous ground. My only concern is to serve my fellowmen),” Go said.
He likewise pointed out that in his dialogue with the common people, they would normally express their support for the three-pronged campaign of President Duterte against illegal drug, crime, and corruption.
“Masaya po sila na nakakauwi ng gabi na hindi binabastos ng mga addict at mga kriminal, yung mga anak nila nakakauwi na safe po. Yun po ang pinaka-imporante sa kanila (They are glad now that they can go home without being harassed by addicts and other criminals. Their children also return home safely),” Go said.
In line with his advocacy, Go said he would pursue programs to benefit the poor, including support for agriculture toward better food security, low-cost housing, and improved delivery of health services through the establishment of Malasakit Centers.
“Ito nga pong pagkain sa mga mahihirap, isa po ito sa priority natin. Ang mahihirap po ang uunahin natin: murang pabahay at itong serbisyo medikal kaya po nagkaroon na tayo ng 34 Malasakit Centers sa buong bansa (Food for the poor will be our priority. The poor will take precedence when it comes to low-cost housing and medical services. This is why we have 34 Malasakit Centers nationwide),” Go said, noting that there are already Malasakit Centers in Manila, Pasay, and Quezon City.
A program of the Duterte administration based on Go’s idea, the Malasakit Center makes it easier and faster for poor patients to avail themselves of medical and financial assistance from the government as it serves as a one-stop-shop where representatives of agencies such as the Department of Health, Department of Social Services and Development, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philhealth are together in one room.
Other priority concerns under Go’s legislative agenda include 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.
During his motorcade, Go passed by a gathering of the Truth and Justice Coalition of Greco Belgica, where he urged ordinary Filipinos to join in the campaign against corrupt government officials.
He urged the people to help President Duterte’s campaign against corruption by providing vital information.
Any information about corrupt officials may be relayed either to the Truth Commission or Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission or through himself, Go said.
Go noted that a number of officials have already been suspended over extortion. And with the help of every Filipino, he said: “our campaign will continue.”
He likewise said that because of corruption, President Duterte had already sacked many officials, even those who helped him during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Should he be fortunate to win a Senate seat, Go vowed to help President Duterte press the three-cornered fight against illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption,