‘Kuya Bong’ vows more charity work

Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Kuya Bong Go” vowed yesterday to continue helping victims of man-made and natural calamities as part of his job to help “Tatay Digong” reach out to the poor and needy in various part of the country.

He said critics have imputed malice and political color to the assistance extended to victims of a fire in Quezon province and Boracay residents who were affected by the rehabilitation program of the government.

Go reiterated that no government funds were used in his charity work because the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWD) and other agencies also conduct their own relief efforts.

“My job is to help and that is what I intend to do,” he said during a radio interview.

Go said, however, there are people and groups in the private sector who wanted to pitch in and send relief goods through him which is already beyond his control.

Go earlier appealed to various sectors supporting him to avoid printing his name or the President’s image in relief goods being distributed to victims of natural and man-made calamities.

“As what I said before, my job is to help and I am thanking supporters in the private sector who are helping in assisting the needy,” he said.

He said private foundations have been providing relief goods to fire victims such as the recent incident in Sampaloc and livelihood projects to displaced folks in Boracay.

Go, however, clarified no government funds were used in his efforts to extend assistance.

“I have already appealed to our friends and supporters not to print the President and my image to relief goods, if you want we give the help direct to the people.

He said not him or Tatay Digong own the relief goods and other assistance. “It’s for the people, not for us,” he added

“We will never allow our images to be placed in any relief goods which is like spending the people’s money for propaganda purposes,” Go said.

Go added many groups are willing to give donations to victims of calamities as a way to convince him to run as senator in the 2019 midterm election.

He insisted that he is not a politician and appealed not to mix politics in his charity work.

Go said he is not aware who and where the relief goods, including cell phones and shoes came from while expressing thanks for the support.

“But please don’t put my image and name because my critics are now putting malice in your being charitable,” Go advised his supporters.