Bong Go urges gov't to maximize available funds for the expanded social amelioration, ensure seamless distribution prioritizing those in NCR plus

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go urged on Friday, March 26, concerned government agencies to maximize available funds for the proposed new social amelioration program as many Filipinos have been reported to experience hunger due to the continuing quarantine restrictions amid the pandemic.

"Nakausap ko po kahapon si Secretary (Carlos) Dominguez. Hindi ko po tinitigilan pati si Secretary (Wendel) Avisado, sabi ko maghanap kayo ng pagkukunan, kung maaari walisin n'yo kung ano ang pwedeng walisin," Go said during a radio interview.

Go also stressed that the provision of additional "ayuda" should be expanded and must include all vulnerable sectors, including those who lost their jobs. He particularly emphasized that such assistance must be provided to those affected by stricter quarantine restrictions in "NCR plus" areas.

"'Yung mga hindi nagagamit na pondo ay gamitin n'yo na lang po sa mga kababayan nating naghihirap. Kinukulong natin sila para hindi magkahawahan, halos kalahati lang nakakapagtrabaho at maraming nawalan ng kabuhayan," he lamented.

"Dapat mabigyan ng ayuda 'yung mga mahihirap talaga na nasa NCR plus na mga lugar kung saan mas istrikto ang mga patakaran dahil sa pagtaas ng bilang ng mga nagkakasakit doon," he emphasized.

Go also reminded concerned agencies to avoid issues they experienced during the initial distribution of social amelioration last year.

"Ang pagbibigay ng SAP ay nagkaroon ng reklamo sa first round. Ilang porsyento lang sa isang munisipyo ang nakakatanggap," he said.

"Dapat ngayon perpekto n'yo na po 'yan. I-combine n'yo na po mga nakatanggap sa listahan na una at binalikan n'yo (noong second round). Importante, wala pong ma-miss out at hindi makatanggap para walang reklamo. Para lahat ng nagugutom ay matulungan," he added.

Go, however, expressed his confidence that the Department of Social Welfare and Development will be able to do their job well in the distribution of assistance.

"Alam n'yo sa ayuda na 'yan, alam na po ng DSWD ang kanilang trabaho. Wala na akong nakikitang rason na magkakandarapa sila sa distribusyon," he said.

"Wala pong pulitika dito, 'wag n'yo haluan ng pulitika, marami na po nasususpinde na mga kapitan na nagsasamantala," he added.

Go said that while he welcomes the 10K Ayuda Bill proposed by Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, he suggested that the executive branch must also explore options that can already provide the needed aid while the proposed measure is still a pending legislation.

He suggested looking into available funds or savings that can be used without need of congressional action.

"Ako naman po, kung ano ang makakatulong, very much welcome po 'yan, 'yung proposal po ni Cong. Alan (Cayetano), very much welcome po 'yan kaya lang po (habang) nasa recess (ang Kongreso) ngayon, di na makakaantay ang ating mga kababayan," he said.

"Dapat kung anumang legal na paraan para makapag-allot agad... baka pwedeng i-consider nila. Ako naman, sa legislative, handa akong pag-usapan agad ito kung ano pang bill ang makakatulong, handa akong sumuporta," he explained.

He, then, assured that he will continue to push for the additional assistance needed to address hunger and ensure that government does its part to ease the burden of Filipinos in distress.

"'Wag kayo mag-alala, 'di ako titigil sa kakakulit. Si Pangulong Duterte, concerned po sya, ayaw niya may magutom bagama't bumaba na ang hunger (rate) ngayon at unemployment base po sa data," Go said.

"Hindi po ito sapat, 'di tayo makukuntento dito, nagkaroon tayo quarantine measure, marami po ang nawalan ng kabuhayan, pati mga OFWs nawalan ng trabaho, kaya dapat patuloy ang ating pagtulong sa mga tao," he added.

Meanwhile, Go urged Filipinos to remain vigilant and continue cooperating with authorities in order to stop COVID-19 and overcome the crisis.