On Tuesday, November 9, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go extended assistance to farmers affected by the Taal volcanic unrest in Laurel, Batangas. In a video message, he assured fellow Batangueños that his office, together with the whole Duterte Administration, will continue to help them overcome the challenges caused by the pandemic and other crises.
“Kami po ni Pangulong Duterte ay patuloy ho kaming magseserbisyo po sa inyo, beinte cuatro oras po ‘yan. Maraming salamat, mga Batangueño. Mahal na mahal po namin kayo,” Go said.
Taal Volcano was put on Alert Level 3 on July 1, after a phreatomagmatic eruption that flung ash and other materials up to a kilometer into the air followed by aftershocks. The Alert Level was downgraded to Alert Level 2 on July 23, after the volcano showed decrease in such activities.
Go shared that he filed proposed measures that aim to enhance national housing programs and provide better access to the housing market for poor and crisis-affected Filipinos.
One of these measures is Senate Bill No. 203 or the National Housing Development, Production and Financing Bill. It seeks to, among others, generate and mobilize funds to increase low-cost quality housing production; provide support mechanisms to improve access to housing options; guarantee the development of a strong, sustainable, accessible and affordable housing finance system; and increase private sector participation.
Go also filed SBN 1227 or the Rental Housing Subsidy Act. The bill seeks to provide indigent families and those displaced by natural and man-made disasters with improved access to the formal housing market by offering a rental subsidy.
Go’s team organized the distribution activity where the 500 beneficiaries received meals, masks, and vitamins while they observed necessary safety and health protocols.
Go initially conducted a physical visit to Laurel on July 13 and distributed relief and assistance as well. His team visited Laurel again on August 13 to distribute additional assistance.
Furthermore, the Department of Agriculture distributed various forms of assistance such as equipment, seeds and fertilizers to farmers to help their livelihood recover.
Go, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also mentioned that there are two Malasakit Centers in the province of Batangas where the beneficiaries may take advantage of the medical assistance programs offered by DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
These Malasakit Centers are located at Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery town and Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City. To date, there are 148 Malasakit Centers that have assisted over three million Filipinos nationwide.
As the government continues to roll out vaccines to protect more Filipinos against COVID-19, Go reminded beneficiaries to stay vigilant, get vaccinated once eligible, and comply with the health preventive measures against COVID-19 to avoid the further spread of the virus.
“Social distancing tayo, hugas ng kamay, at kung hindi naman po kailangan, huwag munang umalis ng inyong pamamahay dahil delikado pa po ang panahon. Habang nandidiyan ang COVID-19, delikado po lumabas. Ingat po muna tayo parati, mga kababayan ko,” expressed Go.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported several projects in the municipality, such as the concreting of a farm-to-market road in Barangay Balakilong.
Go also extended his support to other initiatives in Batangas including the construction of multi-purpose buildings and rehabilitation of roads in Agoncillo, Balayan, Batangas City, Bauan, Calaca, Ibaan, Lipa City, Mabini, Mataas na Kahoy, Nasugbu, San Juan, San Luis, San Nicolas, Santo Tomas, Taal and Tuy; construction of a potable water system in Balete; improvement of public market in Cuenca; acquisition of an ambulance unit in Ibaan; rehabilitation of Lobo River flood mitigation structure in Batangas City, Lobo and San Juan; and improvement of public parks and plazas in San Nicolas.
“Wala na kaming mahihiling pa dahil binigay na ng Panginoon ang lahat, lalo na ang oportunidad na makapaglingkod sa inyo. Kami ni Pangulo ay mga probinsyano lamang, isa akong Batangueño na Bisaya… Isa akong ordinaryong empleyado na ginawa ninyong senador, kaya ibabalik ko sa tao ‘yung serbisyo na para sa inyo,” he promised.
He then thanked local and provincial officials for taking good care of their constituents amid the recent calamity.
In 2019, Go was declared an adopted son of the CALABARZON region in a manifesto issued by the governors of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. They cited his many years of service under President Duterte and “heart for his country” through the various projects he initiated which have benefited millions of Filipinos.
“Batangueño rin po ako… kahit na lumaki kami sa Davao, ang lolo’t lola ko ay dito lang sa Sto. Tomas at tsaka sa Tanauan kaya magkapitbahay lang po tayo. Lapitan niyo lang ako dahil patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa kapwa kong Pilipino. Hindi namin kayo pababayaan, mga kapwa kong Batangueño,” he also said. (Office of SBG)
