CAPIZ – “Mahal na mahal po namin kayong mga taga-Capiz, mga Ilonggo. Tandaan po ninyo na lagi po kayong nasa puso namin ni Pangulong Duterte.” Former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) and 2019 senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go gave this statement on Saturday afternoon when he attended a number of gatherings held in Roxas City, Capiz.
The former SAP attended several events where he met with Capiz-based leaders from various organizations and political parties. Despite being from different political backgrounds, the various groups expressed solidarity to welcome Bong Go in their province. “Alam mo, eleksyon lang naman po ang pulitika; kaaway po kayo sa kampanya pero pagkatapos po noon, iisa po ang ating isusulong at layunin po: interes ng Pilipino,” Go stated to interviewers.
One of the topics discussed by Bong Go with local leaders of Capiz is the issue of rebel insurgency. For years, the Provincial Government of Capiz has been having trouble dealing with rebel forces operating in the area.
Go mentioned that localized peace talks may be a solution to this concern. He cited the case of President Duterte, during his time as mayor of Davao City. Go said that Duterte trusts the NPA as Duterte, in the past, was able to establish contact with rebel forces and rescue hostages. “Tiwala ang Pangulo sa NPA noon. Umaakyat pa siya at ang ibang mga kasama niya dati ng bundok para mag-rescue ng mga bihag,” Go told the huge crowd.
He even invited rebels to start peaceful discussions with government officials, including President Duterte himself, as the Commander-in-Chief is willing and able to communicate with them. “‘Wag ninyong hayaang lumipas ang panahon ni Presidente. Si Presidente lang ang may kakayanan para matuloy ang peace talks (sa pagitan ng gobyerno at mga rebelde),” Go said.
Another topic that was discussed was health service improvement. Go advocates for improving the delivery of health services in the country and key to this is the establishment of more Malasakit Centers.
“Sa Malasakit Center, di ubos ang pamasahe at oras ninyo. Kung may Malasakit Center sa isang lugar, magtutulungan ang DOH, DSWD, PAGCOR, PhilHeath, at PCSO (para paliitin ang hospital bill ninyo). One-stop shop po ito kaya mas mabilis ang pagproseso sa application ninyo,” Go said.
A program of the Duterte administration, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where DOH, DSWD, PAGCOR, PhilHeath, PCSO, and satellite offices of other government agencies are housed in one area to ease the process for patients availing of quick medical and financial assistance from the government.
Go, who was involved in putting up Malasakit Centers when he was serving as the top aide of President Duterte, said he wants to push a law that would institutionalize the establishment of Malasakit Centers in all parts of the nation to help patients in need of medical help and support from the government. “Tulungan natin ang mga kababayan natin. Mahirap magkasakit,” Go said.
He also mentioned that government is planning to establish a Malasakit Center in Capiz province soon.
“Mayroon po tayong Malasakit Center sa Iloilo at Bacolod pero huwag po kayo mag-alala. Ginagawan na po ng paraan ng gobyerno na magkaroon rin dito sa Capiz para hindi na po kayo mahirapan makakuha ng tulong medikal,” he said.
In line with healthcare, Go met Quiljade Armas, a 10-year old girl suffering from Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, a deadly type of cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood. He immediately provided cash assistance to Armas’ mother for the patient’s medical expenses. He also made arrangements for Armas and her mother to be brought to Manila for further treatment at Philippine Children’s Medical Center in Diliman, Quezon City.
Go also discussed that he would assist media personnel in receiving aid and support from the government. “Mayroon na po tayong Task Force on Media Killings na tumututok po sa kapakanan ng mga kapatid natin sa Media. Ang sa akin naman po, asahan niyo po, katulad noong nakaraang December, (tutulungan ko po ang) mga kapatid nating may sakit sa Media (na makakuha ng maayos na serbisyong medikal).
Go has a legislative agenda which covers issues regarding agriculture, housing, long-term sports development, anti-corruption drive, anti-illegal drugs and criminality drive, fire safety and prevention, creation of a Department of OFWs, as well as senior citizen concerns. “Sa mga kapatid ko dito sa Capiz, maraming salamat sa inyo. Sa mga kapatid kong taga-Capiz, mga Ilonggo, maraming salamat sa mainit ninyong pagtanggap. Sana po ay nasa mabuti kayong kalusugan ngayong 2019. Ako po ay patuloy na magiging tulay ninyo kay Pangulong Duterte. Wala po kaming ibang hangarin kung hindi tumulong sa kapwa naming Pilipino,” Bong Go stated, before he left Roxas City. (Jun Ledesma)
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