Sen. Bong Go surveys the damage at Kalibo Public Market. (Jun Aguirre)

KALIBO—Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go will try to come up with the P20 million needed for the rehabilitation of the Kalibo Public Market gutted by fire last weekend.

Go took time out from his hectic schedule on Thursday to visit the victims in Aklan. A total of 276 stalls were razed but no injuries or casualties were reported.

The senator distributed food, grocery packs and financial assistance. School uniforms and supplies were also provided so as not to disrupt the children’s studies.

As a bonus, basketballs were distributed to further cheer up the victims’ families.

Representatives from the National Housing Authority, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Trade and Industry and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office accompanied Go.

“I will personally talk to President Rodrigo Duterte to fast-track the release of funds for the rehabilitation,” said Go in his public address at Magsaysay Park.

Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores said he will open a portion of Toting Reyes Street, adjacent to the burnt market that is being managed by the provincial government, as temporary venue for vendors who lost their stalls.

“I am just awaiting for the resolution to be passed by the Sangguniang Bayan of Kalibo,” Miraflores said.

Go also shared the status the Magna Carta for Barangays Act of 2019 and the postponement of the 2020 barangay and SK elections, which he both filed.

“Nasa committee level pa po,” Go said, referring to the Magna Carta for Barangays bill that was tackled during a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Local Government on Monday.

“Postponement naman, nasa plenary na. Tuluy-tuloy na po yun. Pinag-uusapan na lang ang petsa. Definitely, it will be after the presidential elections para bigyan ng pagkakataon ang bagong presidente kung anong direksyon niya sa kanyang pamamahala,” he said.

After Aklan, Go joined President Rodrigo Duterte in the decommissioning of firearms of former members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB). RPA-ABB is a splinter group of the New People’s Army (NPA) based in Capiz.

Go said the surrenderees will be given jobs, livelihood and housing assistance by the government. He also encouraged other rebel groups to support the government.

“Bibigyan sila ng livelihood, trabaho at pabahay mula sa pamahalaan. Ine-encourage sila ng mahal na Pangulo na magbalik-loob sa pamahalaan. Hindi lang sila, it also goes with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Pati po sa mga NPA. Welcome po kayo,” Go said.