DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental — Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Sunday appealed to thousands of students in Dumaguete City, provincial capital of Negros Oriental, to stay away from illegal drugs.
Speaking before a jam-packed Perdices Memorial Coliseum in this capital, the President’s most trusted aide pointed out the ill-effects and dangers of illegal drug use.
“Likayan gyud nato ning droga kay mugamay gyud ang utok nato ani (We must avoid illegal drugs because it shrinks our brain),” Go told students from various levels from the different public and private schools in Dumaguete.
Go was guest of honor and speaker during the Nutri-Fest 2018, a project of the local government of Dumaguete headed by Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo, in line with the celebration of Nutrition Month this July.
In his brief message, Go said the Duterte administration remains committed to curb the problem of illegal drugs and corruption in government, among others.
On corruption, he highlighted that the President is serious in weeding out corrupt officials in government, even those who helped him in his campaign during the 2016 presidential election.
“Daghan gyud to nitabang niya sa kampanya pero nia ana gyud si mayor (Duterte) magbuwag-buwag ta (Many had helped our mayor during the campaign but he stressed that we will be parting ways)” because the President’s interest is “para sa bayan” (for the country),” Go said.
On peace and order, he reiterated that the declaration of martial law was essential in Mindanao to crush terrorism and attain peace, especially after the Maute terrorist group attacked and besieged Marawi City.
“Kung wala niya to gihuman ang giyera sa Marawi, delikado ang Manila, ang Davao, ang GenSan, ang Cagayan (If he did not finish the war in Marawi, areas like Manila, Davao, Gensan and Cagayan would have been in danger),” he added.
Go made special mention of the military and the police in their role in securing peace and order, especially with the dangers that they face each day.
Meanwhile, he appealed to teachers to “bear with the President in doubling the pay-check of the police first because they are ones on the frontline in security efforts.”
The Palace official also announced that he will donate an ambulance to Negros Oriental that was donated to him by a friend “to ferry your patients” from far-flung areas.
During the Nutri-Fest 2018 event, Go was joined by Davao City 1st District Rep. Karlo Nograles, Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, Dumaguete Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo, actor Philip Salvador, and other local officials. (Mary Judaline Partlow/PNA)
