Former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go vows to author a law that will further strengthen the implementation of “localized peace talks.” Go, a candidate for senator in the 2019 elections, made the statement at the 10th Kawayanan Festival of M’lang town, Cotabato province, on December 7, 2018. “I am aiming to legislate localized peace talks to address insurgencies in areas where rebels operate,”
Go said to some 1,000 residents of the town at the Municipal Historical Park. “My plan is to replicate the Davao model nationwide and provide LGUs the necessary mechanisms and tools in order to tackle and resolve conflicts in their jurisdictions,” Go said. President Rodrigo Duterte recently signed an executive order creating the National Task Force to End Armed Conflicts, which has provisions on localized peace talks.
If he wins as a senator, Go will be able to author a bill that will supplement the executive order. Go wants other local government units to adopt the comprehensive outreach program implemented in Davao Oriental. The provincial government claims that by providing services to remote communities, incidence of encounters between the military and communist rebels has lowered and more rebels surrender under the government’s integration program. The former secretary also shared to the people of M’lang some of his legislative agenda that aim to help local government units. One of his top priorities is the establishment of more Malasakit Centers.
He said, “The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where affordable and quality healthcare services are made accessible to everyone especially those in need. Requesting for medical assistance from Philhealth, DOH, DSWD, and PCSO will now be made easier at the center,”. Go also wants to help build a sports and youth development center and a permanent evacuation center in every LGU.
“In addition, I will work towards increasing the salaries of our teachers and nurses as well as providing additional incentives and benefits for our barangay health workers,”
