Press Release
November 17, 2020

Despite criticisms, Bong Go says Duterte Administration remains focused on public service delivery and responding to the needs of Filipinos

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Monday, November 16, defended President Rodrigo Duterte and this administration, saying that the government remains on top of the situation and is focused on public service delivery despite criticisms in social media at the height of recent calamities and crises being faced by the country.

He also stressed that the Chief Executive has always been busy working and leading the country amid the challenges brought about by natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.

"'Yung iba, puro batikos lang ang inaatupag habang kami ay umaaksyon. Ang kailangan ng taumbayan ngayon ay agarang aksyon at tulong. Uunahin namin palagi ang kapakanan at buhay ng mga Pilipino," Go emphasized.

"Magmalasakit nalang sana sila sa mga kawani ng gobyerno na sinasakripisyo ang buhay nila upang tugunan ang mga humihingi ng saklolo. Sana makipagbayanihan nalang sila para sa ikabubuti ng kapwa nilang Pilipino," he urged.

In an interview on Monday, November 16, during his visit to typhoon-induced flooding victims in Marikina City, Go explained that President Duterte was closely monitoring and giving directives to respond to the immediate needs of Filipinos while still being able to fulfill his obligations as head of state in the 37th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit of Leaders.

"Sa totoo lang, nasa ASEAN (Summit) po ang ating Pangulo noong Huwebes, Sabado, at Linggo. Kahit nasa kalagitnaan po ng ASEAN, dahil kanya po itong obligasyon na bilang head of the state na mag-represent sa Pilipinas, nandiyan pa rin siya at nakatutok... lumipad siya sa Marikina. Kahapon po, closing (ng ASEAN Summit), lumipad po siya sa Cagayan Valley, lumipad rin po kami ng Camarines Sur," Go said.

"Halos wala na pong tulog ang ating Pangulo. Matanda na po ang ating Pangulo pero magpapakamatay po 'yan para sa kanyang kapwa Pilipino. 'Yan po ang totoo," he added.

Go emphasized that President Duterte has been consistent in his top marching orders for all concerned agencies to immediately assist all affected Filipinos, utilize all available resources to restore normalcy as soon as possible, and mobilize the whole government for a holistic approach towards recovery and rehabilitation.

"Para sa akin, hindi po nagkulang ang ating Pangulo. Deployed po ang lahat ng government agencies na handang tumulong. Ibig sabihin, nakalatag po 'yan sa iba't ibang parte ng bansa. Katulad sa Cagayan, pinuntahan niya kahapon, pinagbilin niya sa lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno---ayusin, tulungan kaagad," Go said.

"Lumipad kaagad siya, the same day, pumunta po siya ng Cam Sur. Inatasan po niya ang iba't ibang ahensya ng gobyerno na bilisan po ang rehabilitation efforts at importante may pera at pagkain ang bawat Pilipino," he added.

Go called for unity as he urged critics to help their fellow Filipinos instead, and cooperate with the government in order to uplift the lives of those affected by the crises.

"Magkaisa tayo. Kaliwa't kanan po ang ating problemang hinaharap ngayon. Pero kung puro batikos lang po ang gagawin ng iba d'yan, kung ako po sa inyo, tulungan ninyo naman po ang ating kapwa Pilipino," Go said.

"Hindi po nakakatulong ang inyong pagbabatikos. We can overcome these challenges through our bayanihan spirit. Magbayanihan tayo at magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino upang malalagpasan ito," he added.

Go also assured typhoon victims that the government will not leave anyone behind, as promised by the President. He committed to help them get the assistance they need from the concerned agencies.

"Kung sino po 'yung gustong mag-relocate, you may approach our office. Pwede ninyo po akong maging tulay sa NHA (National Housing Authority) at sa buong national government," Go said.

Go said that he already coordinated with the NHA in order to provide viable options for relocation to those who lost their homes, taking into consideration their sources of livelihood.

"Kaya lang po, minsan ayaw nilang mapalayo sa kanilang tinitirhan kasi 'yung trabaho nila nandito po sa Marikina, nasa Metro Manila, mahihirapan po sila ma-relocate. [...] So, may options po kayo, housing materials or ire-relocate po kayo sa mga kapitbayan po," he explained.

As for victims staying in evacuation centers, he reminded them and local officials to strictly observe and implement health protocols to avoid an increase in COVID-19 cases. He added that health officers should be deployed in evacuation sites to ensure that their medical needs are given attention and their safety is prioritized.

"Kinausap ko din po si Health Secretary Francisco Duque nung pumunta kami sa Catanduanes dahil napansin ko po sa lahat ng ating evacuation centers, nagkakadikit 'yung mga Pilipino. Hindi na po nasusunod 'yung mga health protocols at social distancing. Kaya dapat merong health officer ang bawat evacuation center along with the local government units. Dapat maayos 'yung coordination," Go explained.

Ending the interview, Go said that he is confident that the country will be able to overcome these challenges and 'build back better'.

"Sa mga evacuees natin dito sa Marikina, konting tiis lang po, nandiyan naman po ang gobyerno. Sa abot ng aming makakaya, ang aking opisina ay handa pong tumulong sa inyo. Magtulungan lang po tayo," he assured them.

"At sabi ko nga sa kanila, kapag meron nang safe at epektibong vaccine laban sa COVID-19 ay uunahin po namin ni Pangulong Duterte lahat po ng mahihirap. Uunahin naming lahat ng vulnerable para makabalik na kayo sa normal na pamumuhay," he ended.

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