Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has expressed his support for the Department of the Interior and Local Government's proposed budget for 2024 while reminding its officials to sustain efforts to instill public order and good governance, especially at the local level.

"The DILG is indispensable for the stability and progress of our nation. I am fully supportive of their proposed budget and programs for 2024," Go said.

"Ang palagi ko lang paalala sa aking mga kapwa lingkod-bayan, unahin natin ang kapakanan at kaligtasan ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino habang sinisiguro na hindi nasasayang ang pera ng bayan," he stressed.

The senator's support for DILG's budget was officially noted on record by Senator Edgardo "Sonny" Angara who presided over a Senate Finance Subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, 4 October.

DILG has a proposed budget of P260 billion for fiscal year 2024. This budget is designed to support the UNITE Agenda, a comprehensive blueprint aimed at enhancing local governance and ensuring peace and order across the country. The agenda covers various aspects, including law enforcement, local administration, and community development.

Specifically, the budget includes various allocations including P28 billion for the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and P935 million for the Philippine Public Safety College.

Previously, Go principally authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11589, also known as the BFP Modernization Act. The said law mandates the BFP to undergo a ten-year modernization program that will improve the capabilities of the agency by implementing a ten-year modernization program, which includes recruiting more firefighters, acquiring new fire equipment, and developing specialized training, among others.

"Nakaugalian ko na pong umikot kahit saang sulok ng Pilipinas para tulungan ang mga nangangailangan tulad ng mga nasusunugan. Sa aking sariling pamamaraan, gusto ko lang tumulong sa abot ng aking makakaya. Mahirap po masunugan, ubos ang lahat," Go said.

Meanwhile, Go has once again emphasized the importance of building on the gains made during former president Rodrigo Duterte's fight against illegal drugs and criminality, pointing out how substance abuse has destroyed many Filipinos' lives.

He expressed confidence that the current administration, under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., will be able to continue and enhance further the campaign against illegal drugs, saying, "Malaki naman po ang tiwala ko sa ating Pangulong Marcos na ipagpatuloy niya kung anuman po ang paraan — kanya-kanyang style naman 'yan sa pamamamahala. Ang importante lang po huwag masayang 'yung gains, 'yung naumpisahan po ni (dating) pangulong Duterte."

Go then reiterated his call for a multi-faceted approach against the drug menace in the country. In line with this, he has filed several measures aimed at effectively combating the ills of society. Among these is Senate Bill No. 428 which shall establish a Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in every province across the country.

"Kapag mayro'ng biktima ng iligal na droga sa isang pamilya, sira na po. Maniwala kayo sa hindi, kapag iiwan n'yo ang pitaka n'yo sa loob ng bahay, 'pag mayro'ng durogista d'yan, talagang nanakawin at nanakawin 'yan para ipambili ng droga. Huwag n'yong sayangin ang pera n'yo sa iligal na droga," he continued.

Apart from the said measure, Go likewise introduced SBN 419, establishing a Magna Carta of Benefits for the officers and personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

The proposed measure will provide PDEA employees with better terms of employment and career opportunities through a more thorough and comprehensive career development program, with proper training to enhance their knowledge, competence, transparency, respect for human dignity, and commitment to service.

"Please lang sa authorities, sa ating administrasyon, magtulungan po tayo na labanan ang iligal na droga dahil kung bumalik ang iligal na droga, babalik ang kriminalidad, babalik po ang korapsyon sa gobyerno 'pag may iligal na droga," he reiterated.