DASMARIǸAS CITY, Cavite – Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go on Saturday congratulated newly-elected barangay (village) officials in the province of Cavite and urged them to help in local police efforts against the proliferation of illegal drugs and criminality.
“Kayo naman po sa barangay, kayo ang mas nakakaalam kung sino ang masasamang tao sa inyong lugar kaya tulungan nyo na lang po ang mga pulis (As leaders of the village, you know who the bad people are, so please help the police),” Go said as he graced the oath-taking of some 2,000 newly-elected village and the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials from this city’s 75 barangays at the Church of God auditorium.
The presidential top aide, who was invited by local officials headed by Cavite 4th District Rep. Jennifer Austria-Barzaga, told local officials to be “true in your duties,” since he said it was always the reminder he gets from his boss, President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Always remember to be true and honest in your duties, know what is best for your people, and listen to their problem.” Go said.
He added that local officials should be generous with their time and be prudent with the money and resources of their community.
Duterte’s top aide said good leadership is also about strongly implementing diligently the laws, rules and regulations of the country, which are all in place to ensure that there is peace and prosperity in the communities.
Go asked for the help of Cavite’s new officials in the Duterte administration’s 3-point campaign against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption.
“Naniniwala kami na kapag nasugpo natin ang mga ito, mas magiging ligtas ang ating komunidad at mas lalong tataas ang antas ng pamumuhay dito sa ating bansa (We believe that if we curb these issues, our community will be safer and our quality of life will be better),” he sair.
Go, who felt honored to be part of the officials’ momentous occasion, urged them to shape the whole community into a better and safer place for everyone to live in.
First time Councilor Anabelle A. Morido of Sampaloc 4 village, for her part, expressed gratitude for the efforts done by the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs and criminality in the grassroots level.
Second termer who remained un-opposed, village chief Roderick Olaes, meanwhile, thanked Duterte and the local government of Cavite for recognizing his village’s efforts in curbing criminality.
He expressed hope that through the “national” acknowledgement of their efforts, village officials will soon be recognized as employees of the government, receiving a fixed monthly income and not just based on honorarium “so it would be fair for everyone.”
The oath-taking ceremonies of new village officials in Dasmariǹas City was also attended by provincial and local officials led by Provincial Governor Jesus Crispin Remulla and city mayor Elpidio ‘Pidi’ Barzaga, Jr. (Gladys Pino/PNA)
