‘Political will gets bay rehab done’

The initial result of the rehabilitation of Manila Bay is an example of political will creating progress in the country, former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) and aspiring senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said on Thursday.

“Alam ninyo, kapag may ginagawa ang ating leader, (dahil sa) political will din ‘yan minsan. Pinasara temporarily ni Pangulong Duterte ang Boracay (para magsagawa ng cleanup operations). Ngayon, naging maayos, malinis, at makakaligo ka na sa malinis na tubig at (makikita na malinis na) ang kapaligiran, ang daan ay malalapad na, at, soon po, matatapos na ang total rehabilitation ng Boracay,” Go recalled.

“Pinalinis niya (Duterte) ang Manila Bay at (eksakto naman na) mayroon pong mga volunteers (na gusto) talagang tumulong,” he said.

“Patunay ito na ginagawa ng gobyerno ang lahat para mapabuti ang ating bansa. Dahil ito sa political will at salamat sa volunteers na gusto talagang tumulong,” Go added.

Go issued this statement while he and his supporters were conducting visits to fire survivors in Litex and Barangay Talayan in Quezon City.

In Litex, the fire on 29 January 2019 destroyed at least 50 houses, affected about 100 families, and claimed the life of one child. In Barangay Talayan, the fire on 28 January 2019 destroyed at least 60 houses and affected 154 families. No casualties were reported.

On late Wednesday evening to early Thursday morning, Go and his supporters visited the two sites to provide aid and give comfort to survivors. They distributed grocery items, food packs, meals, and cash assistance to the affected families. Free uniforms were also promised to students and employees residing in both areas.

“Kaunting financial assistance mula sa pribadong sektor at mga kaibigan na nagbigay ng grocery packs para mapabuti ang lagay ng mga naging biktima ng sunog,” Go told the audience.

Go also mentioned that he will be shouldering the funeral expenses of a child who died in the Litex fire.

“Itong namatayan naman po, sasagutin natin ang pagpapalibing. Bata (pa man din siya), nakakalungkot,” Go said.

Go’s visit to Barangay Talayan is a continuation of the visit he made on Monday evening. Go deemed it necessary to come back to the barangay because the fire was still ongoing when he conducted his earlier visit.

“Nangako ako noon na babalik ako sa kanila. Nag-aapoy pa (nga) diyan sa likod (noong pumunta ako). Noong isang gabi, bumisita ako sa dalawang sunog, nakasalubong (naman) namin ‘yung mga bumbero, at ayaw ko naman silang (istorbohin) kaya nandirito po ako ngayon, bumalik as promised. Bumalik po kami ngayon, may dalang kaunting tulong pinansyal at grocery (items),” Go explained.

Even with the presence of Department of Social Welfare and Development members as well as members of other government agencies in the two areas where the fires occurred, the former SAP mentioned that he still will be contacting former colleagues in government departments and request for further assistance for the survivors.

“Pakikiusapan ko rin po ang mga dati kong kasamahan sa gobyerno katulad na lamang ng (nasa) NHA. Nandirito rin po ang DSWD, nagdala ng kanilang tulong, pati DoH naman po, at pakikiusapan din natin ang PAGCOR. (Most important) po dito ang NHA para mag-interview sa ating mga qualified na beneficiaries na gustong mag-avail ng murang pabahay mula sa gobyerno,” Go told interviewers.

Go reminded residents of Litex and Barangay Talayan that they may go to the Malasakit Center in the Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) in Diliman, Quezon City for their urgent medical concerns.

“Nasa isang bubong na po ang mga representatives (na gusto ninyong kausapin) katulad na lamang ng (mga nasa) PCSO, DOH, DSWD, at PhilHealth; sila na po ang magpo-proseso (ng tulong na kailangan ninyo),” Go said to the residents.

An initiative of the Duterte administration, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where satellite offices of DOH, PCSO, DSWD, PhilHealth, and other relevant government agencies are housed together in one location to ease the process for patients applying for quick medical and financial assistance.

Go, who was involved in setting up the Malasakit Center program when he was serving as the top aide of Duterte, intends to push a law that would allow the establishment of more Malasakit Centers in provincial and urban areas of the country.

Go also made time to join boodle fights with tricycle drivers in Litex and Barangay Talayan. He happily shared meals with them and reminded them to join the government’s ongoing fight against illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption.

Go has a legislative agenda which has programs for agriculture, housing, improved health service delivery, education, long-term sports development, fire protection and prevention, localized peace talks, anti-drugs and crime drive, anti-corruption drive, barangay welfare, the creation of a Department of OFWs, and improved benefits for senior citizens.

Go ended his visits to Litex and Barangay Talayan by reminding the residents and fire survivors that they can count on him to help them in their time of need.

“Nandito po ako para tumulong sa inyo. Noon hanggang ngayon, saan mang eskinita kayo, tutulong ako. Kami ni Pangulong Duterte, wala kaming ibang hangarin, walang kaming ibang interes, kung di magserbisyo sa lahat ng Pilipino. At lagi ninyong tandaan na mahal namin kayo.”