SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go told members of the media that President Rodrigo Duterte has yet to officially support another presidential contender.

“Sa ngayon po base po sa pag-uusap namin, sa ngayon wala pa po. At ako nag-aantay na lang po ako kung sino po ‘yung ieendorso niya,” said Go during his visit to fire victims in Barangay 775, San Andres, Manila.

“I’m willing to wait kung sino po ang ieendorso niya, iyon rin po ang aking susuportahan. Iisa lang naman po kami ni Pangulo,” said Go.

Go reiterated that the administration may support a candidate who will ensure the continuity of Duterte’s legacy and sustain the ongoing efforts towards pandemic recovery.

“Ako naman, sinabi ko kung sino ‘yung makakapagpatuloy ng mga pagbabagong naumpisahan ni Pangulong Duterte. ‘Wag lang putulin ‘yung magagandang programa – Build, Build, Build program, itong COVID response natin maganda na ang takbo, ipagpatuloy n’yo lang po sana,” said Go.

The senator belied claims saying that President Duterte has already chosen a candidate to support, saying, “That’s not true, wala pong ganoong balita. At ako po’y nag-aantay kay Pangulong Duterte kung sino po ‘yung susuportahan niya.”

“Papunta na tayo sa eleksyon, patapos na po ‘yung termino ni Pangulong Duterte. Hindi na namin mapipigilan ‘yung iba diyan kung aalis na sila sa trabaho, mayroon na silang susuportahan for their own survival, hindi na po namin kontrolado ‘yan. Pero ako, susuportahan ko po ‘yung makakapagpatuloy ng mga programa ni Pangulong Duterte,” he added.

Meanwhile, when questioned why he has not officially withdrawn his candidacy weeks after announcing his decision, Go said he is not in such a hurry as the senator wants for his supporters to understand first the reasons behind his decision.

“Sabi ko nga hanggang May 9 naman ang withdrawal, so bakit ba tayo nagmamadali? Bakit ba kayo nagmamadali? Sino bang nagmamadali?” said Go. As far as he is concerned, however, Go said that he does not consider himself a candidate anymore.

“Iyon pa rin po ang aking posisyon. As a matter of principle. Sabi ko huwag n’yo na po akong i-consider na candidate. Nakikiusap na nga po ako sa mga leaders ko, huwag n’yo na pong ilagay ‘yung mga tarpaulin. Sabi ko tanggalin n’yo na lang po, at huwag na kayong magdagdag ng tarpaulin,” Go advised his supporters.

“Hindi ko na po kino-consider ang sarili ko as kandidato. At nakikiusap po ako sa kanila, huwag na ho… puwede ba, ipinapaintindi ko na po dahan-dahan sa kanila,” he added.

Meanwhile, Go appealed for continued observance of health protocols especially in public gatherings, such as family celebrations, social functions, business fora or political rallies.

“Nakikiusap po ako sa ating gobyerno na ipatupad po ‘yung health protocols dahil hirap po ‘yung ganitong sitwasyon. Nakikiusap po ako, unahin po natin ang buhay at kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino,” the senator said.

“Sayang po ‘yung naumpisahan natin ‘yung pagbabakuna, napakasayang po dahil baka wala na tayong pulitikang pag-uusapan kung hindi natin ito malalampasan,” he added.

Go then urged all Filipinos to participate in the country’s pandemic efforts and emphasized that overcoming the pandemic remains the country’s priority over politics.

“So unahin muna natin itong COVID response natin, lampasan ang pandemya bago ‘yung pulitika. Dahil delikado po talaga, ako po’y nakikiusap sa mga kababayan natin na huwag muna kayong magkumpol-kumpol,” the senator advised.

“Sa mga kandidato naman po, unahin natin ‘yung kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan dahil delikado pa talaga. Sa totoo lang… habang nandidiyan ang COVID ay delikado pa po,” he added.

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Bong Go aids disaster victims in Talisay City

IN line with his commitment to support disaster-hit communities and boost their recovery, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sent his outreach team to distribute assistance to hundreds of fire and landslide victims in Talisay City, Cebu.

In his video message, Go underscored the importance of building evacuation centers in every city, municipality and province nationwide. He reiterated his call for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1228, otherwise known as the “Mandatory Evacuation Center Act”, which aims to ensure that affected families have access to safe and comfortable shelters in times of emergencies.

The proposed measure was filed by the senator in 2019. It sets minimum requirements for every evacuation center, such as its location, amenities and operation, among others.

“When disaster strikes, it is the poor who suffer. Kailangan natin magpatayo ng mga dedicated evacuation centers na may basic facilities at sapat na emergency supplies, gaya ng tubig, gamot at relief goods, para hindi na sila nagsisikipan sa mga covered courts o paaralan,” explained Go.

The senator’s team distributed grocery packs, snacks and masks to a total of 335 disaster victims at the respective gymnasiums of Barangays Bulacao and Jaclupan. In addition, they extended financial assistance to the fire victims and provided select recipients with computer tablets, bicycles and new pairs of shoes.

As part of the government’s disaster response, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided separate financial assistance to the victims. Meanwhile, the National Housing Authority assessed potential beneficiaries for its Emergency Housing Assistance Program.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority likewise determined eligible beneficiaries for their respective livelihood and scholarship programs.

Go then encouraged the victims to prioritize their health especially amid the pandemic. He urged them to visit any of the six Malasakit Centers in the province, including the nearest one at Talisay District Hospital, where they can conveniently receive medical aid from the government.

First launched in 2018 at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that brings together under one roof the relevant agencies, namely the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Other Malasakit Centers in the province are located at St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital in Cebu City, Eversley Childs Sanitarium Hospital in Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital, and Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City.

“Gusto nako ipasabot nga di-a mi ug an gobyerno nga nag atiman ug nagseserbisyo kaninyo. Andam mi nga mutabang karon na panahona labi na sa panahon karon na katawhan naglisud,” expressed Go.

(“Gusto ko ipaalam sa inyo na nandito kami at ang gobyerno na nagmamalasakit at nagseserbisyo sa inyo. Handa kaming tumulong, lalo na sa panahon ngayon na lahat ay naghihirap,”)

Ending his message, Go thanked the local government officials for their quick response to help their constituents recover from disasters even amid a national health crisis.

To further boost economic opportunities and help the province recover from the pandemic, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, also supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Barili, Cordova, Ginatilan, Pilar, Tabogon and Talisay City; improvement of existing roads in Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Asturias, Balamban, Boljoon, Borbon, Carmen, Madrilejos, Malabuyoc, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Pinamungajan, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Carcar City and Naga City; improvement of flood mitigation structures in Catmon and Tuburan; installation of street lights in Asturias, Compostela and Daanbantayan; and acquisition of ambulance units for Madrilejos and Naga City.

(Translation: “Sa mga kapatid ko, mga Bisaya, maraming salamat sa inyong tulong sa amin ni Presidente Duterte. Kami rin, mga Bisaya rin kami, utang na loob, hindi nalilimutan. At tandaan ninyo, mga Bisaya, mahal namin kayo ni Presidente Duterte.”)