MANILA – Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go promised to help a foundation find a new place where it can continue its advocacy in providing eye care services to underprivileged Filipinos.
Go made the commitment after learning that the foundation will be relocated due to plans to construct a mall at a Philippine National Railway (PNR) property being occupied by the Special Philippine Eye Care Solutions (SPECS) Foundation in Tondo, Manila.
“I will talk to the PNR on how they (SPECS) will be given a new place so that they can continue their advocacy to help people,” he said in a media interview during SPECS’ 5th foundation anniversary on Friday.
Go also vowed to repair the air conditioning units of a dilapidated PNR train that SPECS Foundation converted into an eye clinic at the Tutuban station.
“Like the SPECS Foundation, our beloved President Rodrigo Duterte is working hard not only in providing us with good health but also in giving us a better life through various programs being implemented by the government,” Go said in his speech.
Since 2013, the SPECS Foundation has served more than 10,000 patients under the good care of Philippine eye doctors, who work hand in hand with Canadian doctors of Canadian Vision Care.
“We thank foundations like SPECS for helping the underprivileged. In their hearts, they really want to help our countrymen,” Go said.
He likewise extended assistance to the volunteers, interns and doctors of the foundation in providing quality eye care treatment and diagnostic to Filipino indigents outside Metro Manila.
Meanwhile, in line with Duterte’s three-point agenda against corruption, illegal drugs and criminality, Go said he will talk to Manila Police District, Chief Supt. Rolando Anduyan, to look into the killing of another Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) official.
MTPB District 1 team leader Ruben Pangindian was shot dead by an unidentified assailant on Wednesday while conducting a clearing operation at the Parola Compound in Tondo.
Panganiban’s murder happened two months after MTPB Task Force Parola officer-in-charge, Tranquilino Vuelga, was gunned down in Binondo.
“The national government and our police authority will not allow this kind of killing,” Go said.
He urged the people to continue supporting the government’s programs, including the drive against “tambays” (loiterers) to prevent street crimes.
“Let’s support our police. They are just doing their job. What’s important is there is no violation of human rights,” he said. (PNA)
