Bong Go says fight against illegal drugs intensifies sans Robredo; aids fire victims in Makati City

During his visit to fire victims in Zanzibar Street, Brgy. San Isidro, Makati City, Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go said that the Duterte Administration's fight against illegal drugs continues, emphasizing the government's commitment to put an end to the illegal drug menace in the country.

"Ang mga adik, nariyan pa rin po. Hindi pa nawawala. Kaya patuloy pa rin ang kampanya laban sa droga. Ang taumbayan ang magsa-suffer kapag hindi ito nagtagumpay," he said.

Go also warned drug lords that their "vacation is over" now that Vice President Leni Robredo has been sacked as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD).

"Sa mga drug lords, tapos na ang inyong bakasyon," Go said.

As for Robredo's threats to reveal what she discovered during her short stint as ICAD co-chair, Go simply thanked Robredo, adding that the drug war should not be politicized.

"Maraming salamat po kay Vice President Leni sa dalawang linggong pagsisilbi bilang co-chair ng ICAD. Marami pong narinig ang taumbayan sa iyong programang Toklang (talk lang)," Go said.

He added, "Binigay naman po niya ang lahat. Wala akong masabi. Ginawa naman niya ang gusto niyang gawin, kung ano ang pamamaraan niya. Kaya lang ang War on Drugs nahaluan ng pulitika. Ang sabi ng ibang senador, if you don't trust her, you fire her. Eh pinakinggan naman po sila ng Pangulo," he added.

Go stressed that while the government tries to be inclusive in welcoming ideas and suggestions from everyone, it is difficult to mix administration and opposition members in the fight against illegal drugs as it is a "delicate" policy matter.

"Noon, walang kino-consider na oposisyon ang Pangulo.Itinalaga siya (Robredo) bilang hepe ng housing. Pero panay batikos pa rin siya sa gobyerno. Tapos tinanggal siya. Tapos they positioned themselves as opposition. Sila, ang Liberal Party, ang nagposisyon sa kanila bilang opposition," Go said.

"Ngayon, papasok ka sa gobyerno as anti-drug czar na napaka-delicate na trabaho. Mahirap po pagsamahin ang administrasyon at oposisyon. Napaka-sensitibo nitong kampanya laban sa droga," he added.

Meanwhile, during his visit, the senator distributed relief and financial assistance to the 151 families, or 565 individuals, affected by the fire incident.

"May dala po akong kaunting tulong sa inyo, pagkain, groceries at financial assistance sa inyo, sa bawat pamilya, para po maibsan niyo ang naranasan niyong trahedya," said Go.

As for the children who lost their school uniforms and other supplies in the fire, Go added that he will replace them so their schooling will not be interrupted.

"Ako na rin ang bahala sa mga uniporme at school supplies ng mga estudyante para makabalik kayo kaagad sa pag-aaral," Go said to the delight of the students present.

Accompanied by concerned government agencies during the visit, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Housing Authority (NHA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), Go enumerated the various additional assistance that the offices may provide the victims.

"Kasama ko rin po ngayon ang iba't ibang ahensiya ng gobyerno para tumulong sa inyo. Mayroon din po kayong matatanggap na financial assistance mula sa Department of Social Welfare and Development. Ang National Housing Authority naman magbibigay sa inyo ng pambili ng inyong housing materials. Ang Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) at Department of Health (DOH) magbibigay din po ng tulong. Dapat lang dumaan sa tamang proseso," Go said.

For those who are in need of livelihood support, Go said that DTI will provide livelihood assistance to eligible beneficiaries. He also encouraged those who are in need of affordable housing to approach the representative from NHA.

"Magtutulung-tulong lang po ang ahensya ng gobyerno para makatulong sa inyo at muli kayong makabangon sa isang dinanas na trahedya," Go said.

In assuring those who were injured or in need of medical help, the senator added that he is willing to assist them, saying "Meron bang nasaktan dito sa sunog? Ako na po ang bahalang magpa-ospital sa inyo."

"Para po sa mga kailangan magpagamot, magpa-opera, o magpatingin sa espesyalista, lapitan niyo lang po ako. Handa po akong tumulong sa inyo," he said stressing that on top of his priorities is to provide every Filipino better access to quality healthcare.

The senator also shared with the residents the Malasakit Center which would allow the victims to request government medical assistance from concerned agencies through a more efficient and streamlined process.

"Noon, wala pang Malasakit Center. Pero ngayon may 51 Malasakit Centers na sa buong bansa. Imbes na magsayang kayo ng panahon sa kapipila, nasa iisang bahay na lang po ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong sa inyo sa pamamagitan ng Malasakit Centers," Go said.

Ending his message, Go said that he is committed to fulfilling his promise to go around the country and listen to the concerns of Filipinos personally.

"Kahit saang eskinita po kayo ng Pilipinas, pupuntahan ko kayo makapag-abot lamang ng tulong at marinig ang inyong mga hinaing."

After the visit in Brgy. San Isidro and despite the rain, Go proceeded via motorcycle to check on the situation of victims in a nearby area at JP Rizal corner Varona Streets, Brgy. Tejeros, same city, who were also affected by a residential fire incident that just happened on same morning of his visit. Around 70 families were affected with no reported casualty.