Bong Go greets a Paniqui residents on Wednesday, 23 January 2019.

Former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) and 2019 senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on assured residents of Paniqui, Tarlac that he will be supporting plans for the construction of a new public market in their town.

“Handa po tumulong ang gobyerno ni Pangulong Duterte sa inyo. Naiparating ko na po sa mga national government agencies ang mga pangangailangan dito para matulungan kayo agad,” Go said during his visit to the site of the 20 January 2019 fire that razed the town’s public market.

“Ako ay palaging magsisilbing tulay ninyo sa Pangulo,” he added.

According to Municipal Fire Marshall Senior Inspector Ryan L. Pasqual, the fire lasted for more than 8 hours, from 11:45 PM on Sunday evening to 7:45 AM on Monday morning.

Pascual said the fire reached the general alarm status and that it took 32 fire trucks from Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan to stop the fire.

No one was hurt in the fire that started from the ukay-ukay (used clothing) section but the fire was detrimental to the livelihood of about 272 stall owners and 400 ambulant vendors.

During his visit to the fire site, Go was received by Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Regional Director Senior Superintendent C. Tadeo, Provincial Fire Marshal Superintendent Mary Anthonette U. Buenconsejo, and Municipal Fire Marshall Senior Inspector Ryan L. Pascual.

Go was also accompanied Tarlac Governor Susan Yap, Tarlac Vice Governor Carlito David, and Paniqui Mayor Max Roxas.

During Go’s visit, Mayor Rex relayed his concerns on rebuilding the marketplace, citing constraints in the municipal budget. Yap estimated that an amount of P150 million is needed to construct a new public market.

Go did not hesitate to offer help to the Tarlac local government officials. He mentioned that he will appeal to the national government to contribute to support the plans of the municipal mayor to construct a new public market.

He cited the possibility of getting P40 million from the Local Government Support Fund as initial budget for the reconstruction project.

“Magtutulungan po kami ng local government para mapatayo muli ang nasunog na palengke. Naiparating sa akin ng mga kaibigan natin sa gobyerno na makakapagbigay po sila ng amount na pampatayo ng palengke, about P40 million po for the reconstruction,” Go told Paniqui residents.

Concerned on the welfare of displaced vendors, he requested LGU officials to find an immediate temporary site where vendors can resume their business operations.

“Naghahanap pa ng temporary relocation (area). Huwag kayong mag-alala kasi magiging mainam at safe sa pagtitinda ang bagong pagtatayuan ng palengke,” Go said.

After his visit to the ruins of the public market, Go proceeded to the basketball court at the Paniqui Municipal Complex to meet with local leaders and residents affected by the fire.

Bong and his supporters provided aid, showed concern, and gave comfort to residents who were affected by the Paniqui Public Market fire. Go’s group immediately distributed clothes, shoes, grocery items, food packs, meals, and cash assistance to the many affected families.

“May dala po akong maliit na tulong at cash assistance galing sa ilang mga kaibigan ko para sa inyo,” Go told the crowd.

The former SAP also conveyed that he will be contacting his former colleagues in the government to request additional assistance for the fire victims.

“Papakiusapan ko din po ang DOH, PAGCOR, PCSO, DSWD for additional assistance.”

Go also shared with Paniqui townspeople the plans of the government in increasing the salaries of teachers as well as the establishment of Malasakit Centers which will greatly benefit indigent patients and senior citizens all over the country.

“Magkakaroon po ng Malasakit Center sa Tarlac Provincial Hospital. Scheduled to open po ito sa Feb. 6. Babalik din po talaga ako dito sa Tarlac para po sa pagbubukas ng Malasakit Center,” Go said.

The Malasakit Center, a program started by Go and President Rodrigo Duterte, is a one-stop shop wherein PCSO, DSWD, PhilHealth, and other relevant government satellite offices are housed in one location to ease the process of applying for fast medical and financial assistance.

Go plans to put the Malasakit Center program into legislation so that each province and urban center can have its own center to cater to the medical and financial needs of locals in that area.

Aside from the Malasakit Center, Go has a legislative agenda which covers issues pertaining to agriculture, housing, improved health service delivery, education, long-term sports development, localized peace talks, anti-drug and crime drive, anti-corruption drive, barangay welfare, creation of a Department of OFWs, as well as senior citizen concerns.

Go guaranteed Paniqui residents and Tarlac government officials that he and Duterte are there to help them in their time of need.

“Asahang ninyo na di ko po kayo pababayaan. Kasama ni Pangulong Duterte, di kami titigil sa pagseserbisyo at pagtulong po sa inyo. Wala kaming ibang hangarin ni Pangulong Duterte, wala kaming ibang interes, kung hindi magserbisyo sa bawat Pilipino. Mahal po namin kayo.”