As the country observed Holy Week, former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) and 2019 senatorial candidate Bong Go said he affirms his faith by serving the unfortunate, noting that service to the people is also service to God.
Go said he decided to run for Senate to serve the people directly just like he had served President Rodrigo Duterte for over 21 years.
“I decided to run for the Senate to serve the people directly.”
In several instances, the President himself stressed that the former Palace official is not only a man of integrity but also with genuine concern for the welfare of others. “May malasakit,” the President had said, referring to the former SAP.
“Ang serbisyo po sa tao, serbisyo sa Diyos,” Go said. “Ang bisyo ko po, magserbisyo.”
He noted that according to Christian teaching, whatever one does to the least of his brothers he also does to God.
It could be recalled that long before he even considered running for Senate Go already began a personal crusade to help the unfortunate, particularly fire victims. Go vowed to continue this effort.
“It has been a personal crusade to help the unfortunate, particularly the fire victims.”
“Noon, ngayon at saan man po ako ipadpad ng aking tadhana, papasukin ko kahit saang eskinita para marinig ang mga hinaing ng mga kapatid natin, lalong-lalo na yung mga nangangailangan ng tulong,” he said.
“Sabi ng iba delikado raw, pero di ako natatakot. Basta gagawin ko lang yung trabaho ko,” Go added.
In running for the Senate, he has vowed to support the initiatives for change of the President.
“Susuportahan ko yung kampanya ni Pangulong Duterte laban sa iligal na droga, laban sa corruption at laban sa kriminalidad. Ito po ang dahilan kaya po siya minahal ng tao. Ipagpapatuloy ko po ito,” Go said.
He is also pursuing other pro-poor concerns, including improved support for agriculture sector towards better food security of the country, low-cost housing for the poor, and improved delivery of medical services throughout the country, particularly through the establishment of Malasakit Centers.
A continuing program of the Duterte administration based on Go’s idea, the Malasakit Center facilitates the process of securing medical and financial assistance from the government by bringing together in one room representatives of agencies such as the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Philhealth. Go wants to establish Malasakit Centers in more provinces and key urban centers of the country.
“Ito po yung gusto kong isabatas pagdating ng panahon para tuloy-tuloy ang serbisyo kahit hindi na Pangulo si Pangulong Duterte. Pera nyo po ito, ibinabalik lang sa inyo. Basta po Pilipino qualified, at may express lane pa para sa disabled at senior citizens,” he explained.
Currently, there are 34 Malasakit Centers serving different areas of the country.
Other priority concerns that Go would want to pursue in serving the Filipino people include programs for education, fire protection and prevention, localized peace talks, barangay welfare, creation of a department for overseas Filipino workers, and an increased support for senior citizens.
“Patuloy nyo po akong magiging tulay kay Pangulong Duterte. Wala po kaming ibang hangarin ni Pangulong Duterte kundi kabutihan ng Pilipino dahil mahal namin kayo,” he said.
“Minsan lang po tayo daraan sa landas na ito. Anuman ang magandang pwedeng gawin natin sa ating kapwa gawin na natin dahil malamang hindi na tayo muling daraan sa landas na ito,” Go added.
