Press Release
October 2, 2020

Bong Go expresses support for DILG budget; lauds agency for its role in gov't efforts during pandemic

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has expressed his support for the proposed 2021 budget of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

"Sa DILG, alam ko pong nandyan kayo para umalalay sa ating mga kababayan na naghihirap po sa panahong ito. For these reasons, I fully support the budget of DILG," he said.

During a public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Finance on Thursday, October 1, Go said that the DILG has been one of the most important lifelines of the government during this pandemic.

"Nakikita ninyo naman po kahit saan, nandoon po sila, sila ang frontliners dito, 'yung mga pulis natin, they aid in contract tracing and ensure that our LGUs have the capacity to combat, cope and recover from COVID-19," Go said.

Go also noted DILG's role in fighting corruption in the government, particularly in monitoring local government units. He also cited President Rodrigo Duterte's concern for the country's law enforcers.

"Alam niyo naman po na mahal na mahal po namin ng Pangulo ang mga pulis at sundalo kaya pangalagaan po natin sila. Ang DILG rin po ang nagsisilbing bantay sa mga corrupt na opisyal. It has been our President's clarion call to eradicate corruption," said Go as he urged the department to continue pursuing its anti-corruption measures.

"[U]p to the last centavo, wala pong dapat na masayang na pera ng taumbayan. Ituluy-tuloy po natin ang kampanyang ito, alam ko marami na kayong na nasuspinde na mga local officials na nagsasamantala sa pagkakataong ito and, aside from that, ituloy rin po natin ang kampanya laban sa iligal na droga at kriminalidad," Go asked of DILG.

Under the DILG is the Philippine National Police which Go said "played, and continues to play, a vital role in keeping the peace and security of the nation and aid in the enforcement of the on-going imposed community quarantine measures."

"Hindi natin ito magagawa kundi po sa tulong ng ating mga pulis, mahihirapan po tayo. Kaya nga full support po kami sa inyo, kami ni Pangulong Duterte, full support kami sa mga pulis and, of course, sa DILG," he added.

The Senator also commended the different bureaus attached to DILG, particularly the Bureau of Fire Protection whose much-needed modernization has gained significant boost and support from Go.

"Mayroon na pong napa-finalize na proposal ang BFP para sa kanilang modernization plan amounting to P27 billion, Mr. Chair, I hope you can include this in the (2021) budget kung ano pong pwede nating maitulong sa kanila, talagang kailangan na po ito. The BFP needs all the help they can get, their lives are always on the line," he said.

Go recently filed Senate Bill No. 204 which furthers fire protection and modernization and is now consolidated under Committee Report No. 111, otherwise known as BFP Modernization Act of 2020.

"Sa ngayon, sa aking sariling pamamaraan, patuloy pa rin po akong tumutulong sa mga kababayan natin. Mahirap po masunugan, ubos ang lahat," Go said.

"Nakaugalian ko na pong umikot kahit saang sulok ng Pilipinas para sa mga nasusunugan. Minsan nga binibiro ako na mas nauuna pa raw ako sa Bureau of Fire (Protection) doon sa mga nasunugan," he added.

He also urged concerned agencies to continue helping each other to alleviate the plight of fire victims.

"Pagtulungan po natin ito, hindi lang po sa mga nasunugan kundi sa lahat po ng ating mga kababayan na nangangailangan po ng tulong," he said.

"Pero parati kong sinasabi sa kanila, ang pera naman po ay kikitain natin, magtulungan lang tayo, pero 'yung perang kikitain natin, hindi po nabibili ang buhay, so importante po ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Mahirap masunugan po, mahirap magsimula muli," he added.

Ending his statement, he also expressed his support for all the other attached agencies of DILG.

"Sa lahat din ng attached agencies sa DILG, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and sa lahat pa po, NYC, full support po ako, sa lahat ng under ng DILG," he concluded.

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