Bong Go’s office holds relief activities in North Cotabato

Gives aid to hundreds of struggling market vendors

In support of small businesses affected by the COVID-19 crisis, the Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go recently began a series of relief activities for the market vendors in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato who are struggling to stay afloat as they continue to serve as an important source of fresh, healthy and affordable food especially for ordinary Filipinos.

The first batches were held on March 17 and 18 at the Kidapawan City Pilot Elementary School covered court where a total of 438 market vendors were given meals, food packs, vitamins, medical-grade masks, and face shields by the Senator’s team.

“Mga kababayan, tandaan po natin na ang pag-iingat at kooperasyon ninyo, ang inyong pagmamalasakit sa kapwa, ay malaking parte ng ating bayanihan efforts upang malampasan ang pagsubok na ito,” Go began in a video message.

“Magpalakas tayo ng katawan at resistensya at sumunod rin tayo sa gobyerno. Gamitin natin ang mga masks, mag-social distancing at maghugas ng kamay dahil delikado pa ang panahon ngayon,” he continued.

Selected beneficiaries were also given new shoes while those facing difficulties in their daily commute received bicycles. Others were provided computer tablets to help their children with their educational activities under the blended learning approach.

Meanwhile, personnel from the DSWD also distributed cash assistance as part of a holistic set of interventions by the government for communities in crisis. The DOH gave away additional face masks while the Department of Agriculture brought seed supplies to encourage everyone to grow their own vegetables.

On the other hand, the Departments of Labor and Employment, and Trade and Industry assessed vendors seeking alternative employment and livelihood options, respectively. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in turn, profiled potential candidates for their scholarship grant program.

“Nagpapasalamat ako ng lubos kay Senador Bong at kay Presidente Duterte para sa mga ibinigay nilang tulong sa aming mga negosyante. Malaki ang hirap namin noong nagsarado ang aming mga tindahan. Talagang wala kaming income kaya natutuwa kami na nabigyan kami kahit kaunti man lang na tulong. Malaking bagay na ‘to sa amin. Mabuhay tayong lahat!” said Anna Evangelista, a market vendor from Barangay Lanao.

Go also offered his help to beneficiaries or their family members who need medical care. He advised them to visit their nearest Malasakit Center to access medical assistance from the government.

Malasakit Centers have been established at the Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital in Digos City; Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat; Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City; and at other hospitals throughout the country.

Wrapping up his message, the Senator thanked Mayor Joseph Evangelista; Vice Mayor Jivy Roe Bombeo; and Councilors Melvin Lamatan, Marittess Malaluan, Gregoria Lonzaga, Ruby Padilla-Sison, Carlo Agamon, Airene Pagal, Aljo Dizon, Lauro Taynan Jr., Junares Amador, and Peter Salac for their efforts to address the needs of their constituents affected by the pandemic.

He also acknowledged Poblacion Punong Barangay Arnold Sumbling, Magsaysay Punong Barangay Julio Labinghisa, Sudapin Punong Barangay Jon Karl Sibug, and Balindog Punong Barangay Angelo Saniel for their ongoing support.

“Huwag kayong mag-alala dahil unti-unti nang dumadating ang mga bakuna. Pagkatapos ng mga medical frontliners, uunahin namin ni Pangulong [Rodrigo] Duterte ang lahat ng mga nangangailangan, gaya ng mga market vendors,” assured Go.

“Ngayon kung may maitutulong pa kami, sabihan niyo lang ang aking opisina at sa abot ng aming makakaya, tutulungan namin kayo. Walang tulog ang aming serbisyo lalo na ngayon sa panahong pinaka-nangangailangan ang mga Pilipino,” he added.

Go will also personally visit Kidapawan City this Saturday, March 20 to provide more aid to another set of beneficiaries.

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Bong Go pushes for Localized peace talks to help settle land disputes

Former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go told registrars of deeds that he would push for localized peace talks to help settle land disputes especially in conflict areas.

Go made the statement at the national convention of the Association of Registrars and Deputy Registrars of Deeds, Inc. (ARDDRDPI) on November 20, 2018, at Seda Hotel in Quezon City.

Go, a candidate for senator in the 2019 elections, wanted to help lessen the difficulties that the members of the organization face. “Some conflicts in our society involve land titles,” he said. “Localized peace talks may help resolve the issues and stop the dispute between parties since local executives are more familiar with the issues of their respective communities.”

The senatorial aspirant also highlighted the registrars’ role as “Keepers of Land” – reminding them how crucial it is that they be truthful in their jobs, especially given the president’s zero tolerance corruption policy.

ARDDRPI has more than 170 members all over the country, at least 95 percent of whom are lawyers. Each city and province has its own registrar of deeds.

The office of the Registry of Deeds is under Land Registration Authority. Its main function is to serve as the public repository of all records, including certificates of land titles.

Localized peace talks are patterned after a set of programs and projects implemented in Davao region. Citing their experience in Davao, Go said that efforts of the local government resulted in a lower incidence of clashes between soldiers and communist rebels and in a higher number of rebels surrendering to the government.

“President Duterte wanted the Davao model to be replicated in other areas of the Philippines,“ Go said.

Go also specifically emphasized the importance of land titles that the Registry of Deeds handles. He cited President Duterte’s recent move to distribute some 3.1 hectares of land to the Ati Tribe in Boracay island. “No one can take their land away from them again,” Go said.

In the same event, Go also said he will push for the creation of a Department for OFW Affairs which aims to unite fractured services currently available across government agencies like the DFA, DOLE, OWWA, and POEA – as well as his plan to have a national program wherein school supplies can be distributed to students for free. The initiatives echo his ‘Malasakit’ platform, which is highlighted by the 17 Malasakit Centers available nationwide.

The Malasakit Center is a ‘one stop shop’ where indigent patients can ask for financial assistance from various government agencies, such as the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philhealth, PAGCOR, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Hindi dapat maging mahirap para sa mga Pilipino na makakakuha ng tulong. Ito ang aking ipaglalaban – na mapadali ang access ng tao sa mga benepisyo mula sa kanilang gobyerno. Ako ang tulay ninyo sa Pangulo,” he said. ###

SAP GO ASSISTS IN REBUILDING HOMES AND HOPES

As a father who has to feed five mouths from the coins he earns everyday as a parking boy, Reynaldo Usi takes refuge in the thought that at least he has a house to call a home. But on May 23, even that was taken away from him when a fire razed the residential homes at Brgy. Vasra, Quezon City.

Left with virtually nothing but the clothes on their backs, Reynaldo’s family and about 30 others were the recipients of 150 sheets of plywood on Wednesday from supporters of Kuya Bong Go, Special Assistant to the President.

The plywood will aid in rebuilding the houses of about 30 families out of the 413 families affected by the fire and are still staying at the evacuation center.

More than the plywood, the supporters brought hope to the families that they will soon have a place to call their home again.

“Sa mga supporters ni SAP, maraming salamat po sa tulong. Alam ko po sa Davao pag may nasunugan talagang natututukan ng tulong. Kapalan ko na rin ang mukha ko na kung pwedeng dagdagan pa ng kaunti,” a grateful Brgy. Captain Bobby Fortuno said.

The donation came after the top presidential aide asked his supporters to stop spending money on tarpaulins and other promotional materials. He repeatedly appealed to them to help the poor and victims of calamities instead.