OLONGAPO CITY – Senatorial aspirant and former special assistant to the president Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Wednesday said he will seek the expansion of the Subic freeport to spur more development in the region if if elected to the Senate.

“Tutulungan ko po itong Subic. Nasa Senado na po yung amendment ng RA 7227, the law that created SBMA and Clark. I-iexpand po ang free port, incentives to Olongapo, Bataan and Zambales. For second reading na po ito. Kung swertehin at abutan ko ito (sa Senate) susuportahan ko po ito,” Go said adding that the people of the region can count on him to be an ally in pushing for more development of the area.

The said bill seeks to increase the area of the Clark Special Economic Zone from the current 4,400 hectares to 35,400 hectares and permit the Subic and Clark authorities to draft master plans for their expansion including areas in San Antonio, San Marcelino, Subic and Castillejos in Zambales, as well as in Olongapo City and Hermosa in Bataan.

The proposal, according to Go, will open more business opportunities, spur economic growth and generate more revenues for the local government units.

Go also praised the father of Olongapo, the city’s former mayor James Leonard Gordon, for dedicating his life to serving fellow Filipinos at the commemoration of the latter’s 52nd death anniversary on Wednesday.

“Although his fruitful and productive life was cut short by an assassin’s bullet those many years ago, his deeds and his charity continue to be felt by the people of Olongapo to this day and his legacy of selfless service lives on through his children and grandchildren,” Go said.

Senator Richard Gordon, son of James Gordon, invited Go to grace the event, which was held in front of the San Roque Chapel in Subic Bay Freeport Zone here.

James Gordon was the first mayor of Olongapo City, and as Go stated, “it was through his efforts that Olongapo was freed from United States rule, allowing its people to shape its own destiny, and it was under his leadership that Olongapo achieved its chartered city status, which laid the foundation for Olongapo to become the vibrant and dynamic city that it is today.”

In his message during the event, Go also lauded Sen. Gordon for ensuring the continued progress of Subic after the withdrawal of U.S. Navy from its military base by stoking the spirit of volunteerism and installing discipline, drawing parallels with President Duterte’s success in Davao.

“Kung paano nilinis ni Sen. Gordon ang Subic, ganoon din po nilinis ni Pangulong Duterte ang Davao,” he said.

“Ako po isusulong ko, ipagpapatuloy ko po ang pagbabagong inumpisahan ni Pangulong Duterte,” said Go, as he also bared his own legislative priorities if elected to the Senate.

He vowed to support Duterte’s unrelenting campaign against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption.

“Ipaglalaban namin ito up to the last day of the term of President Dutete,” Go said.

Likewise, Go said he will push for improved delivery of health services, including additional bed capacity for public hospitals, as well as the enactment of a law establishing Malasakit Centers in more provinces and key urban centers in the country.

A program of the Duterte administration, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop bringing together in one room the DoH, DSWD, PCSO, and Philhealth to make it easier and faster for poor patients to avail of medical and financial assistance from the government.

“Mayroon na po tayong 23 Malasakit Centers sa buong bansa. Hopefully, tuloy-tuloy na itong programang ito kahit hindi na Pangulo si Pangulong Duterte,” Go said.

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