Bong Go warns irresponsible recipients of social amelioration program: "You will be disqualified in the next distribution of assistance"

Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go on Monday, April 20, warned recipients of the government's social amelioration program for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) health emergency to use the assistance conscientiously.

This comes after reports came out about irresponsible recipients using the government aid to buy illegal drugs and engage in cockfighting amid the enhanced community quarantine.

Go then warned irresponsible recipients that they may be disqualified from receiving further assistance from the government if found violating the law and guidelines of the enhanced community quarantine.

"Ang tulong mula sa gobyerno, sabi nga ng Pangulo, ibigay na lang sa asawa, ibigay na lang sa anak. 'Yung iba naman po ay isinasabong. Ibig sabihin, kung may pera naman pala kayo na pang-sabong, disqualified na sila dapat sa susunod na distribution," he said.

In a radio interview, Go advised recipients not to waste the money provided to them by the government. "Alam ninyo po, 'wag ninyo po sayangin ang pera ng gobyerno. Ibili ninyo po ng pagkain. Ang dami-dami na po naghihirap na Pilipino sa ngayon."

"Nagkandahirap na nga 'yung national government, ang Department of Social Welfare and Development, nagkandahirap na nga silang pagkasyahin at i-allocate para maibigay sa inyo tapos ibibili ninyo lang ng droga. Sayang lang po," he added.

A staunch supporter of the government's campaign against illegal drugs, Go again warned the public about the negative effects of these substances.

"Kaya sabi ko noon pa, tuwing umiikot ako, 'wag ninyo po aksayahin ang pera ninyo diyan sa droga na 'yan dahil nakakasira ng utak 'yan at damay po ang buong pamilya ninyo," Go said.

"Ibili ninyo na lang sana po ng pagkain para sa inyong mga anak tapos ngayon ay ibinibili ninyo pa ng droga. Kawawa po 'yung anak ninyo," he added.

The Senator added that illegal drugs are not only detrimental to the user's health but could also destroy families and their communities.

"Uulitin ko, ang droga ay masama po 'yan. Nakakasira po ng pamilya 'yan... Pangalawa, sa mga drug addict, delikado 'yan. 'Yung isang paa ninyo po ay nasa hukay na," he added.

Police authorities on Thursday, April 16, arrested a certain Clark Jerel Navalta in Bacoor City, Cavite after he allegedly bought shabu using the PhP6,500 he received from the social amelioration program of the government.

Two beneficiaries were also disqualified from the program after they were reportedly caught engaging in cockfighting and violating government-imposed quarantine measures.