Press Release
December 11, 2019

Bong Go aids fire victims in Pasig; dares opposition to speak on water concession issues and for Robredo to reveal early her "drug war findings"

As he distributed cash and relief assistance to fire victims in Pasig City, Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go dared the opposition on Tuesday, December 10, to speak up on the issues against water concessionaires. He also dared Vice President Leni Robredo to reveal early her discoveries on the government's war on drugs, which she said she will reveal on Monday, December 16.

"Nananawagan ako sa inyo. Ngayon kayo magsalita. Ito ang batikusin ninyo. Unahin po natin ang interes ng mga Pilipino," Go told reporters in an interview, addressing the opposition figures who have not released any statement about the contracts inked between the government and the companies Maynilad and Manila Water in 1997 and 1999, respectively.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said that the contracts are disadvantageous to the Philippine government and refused to comply with the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Singapore that the Philippine government should pay Manila Water P7.39 billion.

The company claims to have incurred losses because the government has stopped implementing water rate hikes since 2015. The President and Go lambasted the companies for not meeting certain obligations in the contracts and called into question the integrity of the representatives of the government who signed the contracts.

"Ang oposisyon kasi, kung ano ang kabutihan na ginagawa ng administrasyon eh sasabihin nilang mali at pangit para siraan ang administrasyon. Eh ito naman na may palpak nga 'yung nakaraang nangyari, hindi naman sila nagsasalita," Go also said.

The Senator was at an evacuation center at Barangay Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City to provide aid to 112 families who were affected by a fire that occurred at the Syvel Compound and Elpidio Santos Street in Balsancat Village on December 4.

Comprising of 566 individuals who have lost their homes in the incident, Go distributed food, grocery packs and cash assistance. He also told students affected in the fire incident that he will provide them a new set of uniform and school supplies to enable them to resume their studies immediately.

During his visit, Go also offered one-way fare for those who wish to leave the city to start anew in their respective provinces.

"Narito po ako para dinggin ang inyong mga hinanaing," Go told fire victims. He added that his priority has always been the Filipinos and that wherever he is needed, he will immediately respond to the distress calls of the people.

"Apat na araw lang ang hearing sa Senado at ayoko na masayang ang natitirang tatlong araw. Minsan, sinisingit ko rin ang mga pagbisita sa mga araw ng aking trabaho sa Senado dahil hindi ko matiis ang aking mga kababayang nahihirapan," Go explained.

The victims also received assistance from representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Housing Authority (NHA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). Some officials of the barangay and the city were also present during the visit.

"Gusto ko rin ibahagi na kung may nararamdaman kayong sakit o may nasugatan sa insidenteng ito, mayroon na po tayong Malasakit Center na handang tumulong sa inyong medikal na mga pangangailangan, lalo na ang pinansyal na aspeto ng pagpapa-ospital," Go said.

The senator explained to the fire victims that the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop for all Filipinos, particularly the poor and indigent patients, where they can ask for assistance from the different government agencies now housed under one roof.

"Naipasa na kasi ang Malasakit Center Act of 2019, batas na ito at hindi na mapipigilan ng kahit sinuman ang pagpapatakbo ng programang Malasakit Center na tiyak na mas makakatulong pa sa sambayanan," Go added.

Go, who has been constantly visiting fire victims in evacuation areas anywhere in the country, expressed that he just wants to leave good memories and smiles on the faces of his fellow Filipinos.

"Kaya ako nandito para magbigay sa inyo ng kaunting tulong, para makapag-iwan ng ngiti sa inyong lahat," he said. The senator added that he has nothing else more to ask from God because for him, He already granted his wish to serve the nation.

As to Robredo's statement earlier in the day, Go responded, "Bakit mo pa antayin ang Lunes? Puwede namang bukas. Puwede namang ngayong araw na 'to. Martes na ngayon. Maghihintay pa tayo ng anim na araw. Ano lang 'yan, pa-suspense."

Robredo said she would reveal her findings and recommendations when she acted as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) for nineteen days.

"Walang dapat ikatakot. Ang mga dapat matakot ang mga durugista, ang mga drug lord. Kayo ang dapat matakot. 'Yan ang bantayan ninyo dahil talagang 'di kami titigil ni Duterte ang droga. Mamatay na kami kung mamatay kami basta lalabanan namin ang iligal na droga," Go added.

News Latest News Feed