MANILA — Former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go told around 4,000 youth leaders in Zamboanga Del Norte to focus on their responsibilities to their community and reminded them that it is every Filipino’s duty to serve our country.
“Alam ko na sa edad n'yo ngayon, prayoridad ninyo ang inyong mga assignments, mga exams o quizzes, mga kaibigan at mga kasintahan,” Go told the participants during the recent provincial youth summit dubbed "Bangon, Bagong Kabataan".
“Pero huwag din sana nating kalimutang magbigay ng pokus sa ating responsibilidad sa Inang Bayan,” he added.
Go said one of his reasons for running for senator is to be able to continue helping the youth and prepare them to become leaders of the country.
"Isa sa mga kadahilanan sa pagtakbo ko bilang Senador ay upang matulungan ko kayong mga kabataan at maihanda kayo kapag kayo na ang nagpatakbo ng ating bansa,” he said.
Go, who is gunning for a Senate seat in the 2019 elections, said part of his legislative agenda is to empower the youth to become productive citizens and keep them away from illegal drugs, corruption, and criminality.
He said he plans to institutionalize youth programs that will provide sports development centers in every city and municipality.
“These centers will offer free mentorship and training to the youth to instill in them values of discipline, sportsmanship and hardwork.”
Go is also advocating for the review of the Juvenile Justice Law to protect minors from being used by crime syndicates in their illegal activities.
He said he would push for the amendment of this law because “criminals have been using it as a loophole to force young Filipinos to commit crimes for them.”
In the same event, Go also emphasized his commitment to encourage his former colleagues in government to build more Malasakit Centers all over the country.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop-shop program of President Rodrigo Duterte to hasten the delivery of medical services to those in need and give poor patients access to free medicine.
He committed to the residents of Zamboanga Del Norte that there will be a Malasakit Center in their province soon in order to provide them free access to quality healthcare.
“Ang aming plano ay sa loob ng tatlong buwan ay malalagyan na dito ng Malasakit Center. Pipili lang muna kami ng government hospital dito sa Zamboanga Del Norte na pwede malagyan ng Malasakit Center,” he said, adding that he plans to institutionalize this into a law to make sure that the program continues even after the term of President Duterte.
“Kung kaawaan ako ng Diyos at swertehin na dalhin ng tadhana sa Senado akin itong isasabatas at i-institutionalize para magpatuloy pa rin ang programang Malasakit Center,” Go added.
Go said like President Duterte, his main purpose in serving the public is to provide a better future for the next generation.
Ranking eighth in the latest nationwide senatorial survey, Go vowed to continue pushing for the programs of the President to sustain the gains felt by Filipinos and to serve the public in every way he can.
“Andito po ako para tumulong sa inyo at maprotektahan ang ating kabataan. Ang tangi kong bisyo ay magserbisyo sa kapwa kong Pilipino. Sa suporta po ninyo, mas marami po tayong matutulungan,” Go said. (PR)
