A federation of tricycle operators and drivers associations (TODAs) in Muntinlupa City has thrown its full support behind the senatorial bid of former Special Assistance to the President (SAP) Bong Go.
In the “TODA, TODO Suporta para kay Bong Go sa Senado” gathering of the Federation of Muntinlupa Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association(FEDMUNTODA), National Capital Region (NCR) TODA president Ace Sevilla rallied the federation’s members to support Go’s candidacy, saying the former SAP has shown genuine concern for the interest of the TODA in the country.
The gathering in Muntinlupa started with a motorcade around the city and ended with a short program in the Muntinlupa Sports Complex where Go was able to listen to the concerns of various TODA members.
“Galing po ako sa Parañaque, may TODA summit sila doon at nagkakaisa sila sa aking kuya ng TODA, walang iba kundi ang ating Kuya Bong Go na dadalihin po natin sa darating na Mayo sa Senado. Kaya ba natin yun?” Sevilla asked.
The TODA members answered in the affirmative.
Sevilla noted that there are many lawmakers in the House of Representatives who are already supporting the cause of TODAs but nobody is speaking in their behalf in the Senate.
“Nobody is speaking in TODAs’ behalf in the Senate.”
“Wala pong boses ang magta-tricycle sa Senado. Kaya panahon po sa darating sa Mayo na ihalal natin at iupo natin sa Senado ang wala pong iba na may puso sa mahihirap, may puso sa tatlong gulong—wala pong iba kundi ang ating senador, Bong Go,” Sevilla said.
He noted that a casual talk with Go in a small carinderia, where he brought out the concerns of the tricycle drivers in the country, resulted in the national TODA summit held in January this year. He pointed out that the last time the government paid attention to the plight of the TODA was in 2008.
“Sa kalsada lang po kami nag-usap, sa simpleng karinderya lang. Tinalo pa yung ibang mga kinakausap ko na kapag pinapatawag ako nasa opisina, naka-aircon, …pero after nun puro drowing lang ho,” he said.
It was Go who raised the call for the TODA summit, saying it was important for the government to listen to the concerns of tricycle drivers who are serving a large number of the country’s population, especially in areas not served by traditional transport such as buses and jeepneys.
The TODA summit organized by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in partnership with other agencies was suggested by the former SAP to his colleagues in government a year ago upon the request of various TODA officers.
It served not only as a forum to air the concerns of tricycle drivers and operators but also brought to the event various government agencies such as the Land Transportation Office, Social Security System, Philhealth, and Pag-Ibig to provide their respective services.
There were also lectures on road safety from the Metro Manila Development Authority, as well as a forum on livelihood programs and skills training conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
Go recalled that his interactions with various TODAs began during a fire visit where he saw several tricycle drivers and invited them for a snack at a nearby carinderia.
“So dun po nag-umpisa, tuwing pumupunta ako sa nasunugan iniimbitahan ko ang mga TODA na mag-boodle fight at doon ko po naririnig yung mga hinaing ninyo,” he said.
Go said he would always be willing to relay the concerns of the TODAs to President Rodrigo Duterte.
“I am always willing to relay the concerns of the TODA to President Duterte.”
“Tandaan nyo po ako ang inyong Kuya Bong Go, ako po ang inyong tulay kay Pangulong Duterte. Pag kailangan ng tulong o payo ng TODA, lapitan nyo lang po ako,” he stressed.
The former SAP also took the opportunity to explain to the TODA members his legislative agenda, particularly his advocacy to expand access to quality healthcare through the Malasakit Center, which makes it easier and faster for poor patients to avail of medical and financial assistance by bringing together in one room all concerned agencies such as Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Philhealth.
Go is pushing for a law to enable the establishment of Malasakit Centers in more provinces and key urban centers in the country and allow continuity of the program even after the term of the Duterte administration ends.
He also vowed to support President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against criminality, corruption and illegal drugs saying: “Galit si Pangulong Duterte sa corrupt, galit din ako sa corrupt. Galit si Pangulong Duterte sa mga kriminal, galit din ako sa kriminal. Galit si Pangulong Duterte sa durugista, galit din ako sa durugista.”
Go vowed to serve the Filipino people the best way he could, saying “Bisyo ko na po ang magserbisyo.”
Other priority concerns he had identified to be part of his legislative agenda include agriculture, housing, education, long-term sports development, fire protection and prevention, localized peace talks, barangay welfare, creation of a Department of Overseas Filipino Workers, and improved benefits for senior citizens.
