CALAMBA CITY, Laguna -- Former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Thursday assured the people of Laguna of the province’s fair share of the government’s infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program.
“Rest assured yung mga infrastructure ninyo rito magiging part ng (your infrastructure here will be part of) “Build Build Build”at magkakaroon tayo ng mga infrastructure nang mabawasan ang trapiko lalo na po papunta dito sa Laguna dahil kapitbahay lang po ito ng Manila (we will have infrastructure projects to ease traffic congestion especially towards Laguna which is a neighbor of Manila),” he said in an interview.
Go, a senatorial candidate for the 2019 election, graced the orientation-seminar on Community Mobilization Project (CMP) at Calamba City Central School here.
He particularly cited the PHP124.1-billion Philippines National Railways (PNR) South Commuter Line project meant to provide faster and traffic-free transportation between Manila and Laguna.
The detailed engineering design for the project is expected to be completed this month.
Go also noted the PNR South Long-Haul project that would connect Manila to Bicol and cut travel time from Manila to Legazpi City to only five hours; the Cavite-Laguna Expressway; and the Phase 1 of the Metro Manila Subway Project.
Meanwhile, Go also urged the local officials to continue their support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.
“Tulungan natin si Pangulong Duterte na tapusin ang laban kontra droga (Let us help President Duterte to finish the war on drugs),” he said. “Isa ang layunin namin ni Pangulo. Wala kaming ibang interes kundi magserbisyo sa Pilipino (Our goal is one which is to serve the Filipinos).”
As a senatorial candidate, Go vowed to continue his support for the programs of the President, and part of his legislative agenda is the fight against illegal drugs, crime, and corruption.
Explaining his vision for the country, Go said he would push for a Magna Carta for barangay officials, including the extension of their term; the conduct of localized peace talks to avoid further bloodshed; and a review of the Juvenile Justice Law to prevent the youth from being exploited by criminals, among others.
As part of his health agenda, Go would also push for a law for the creation of a Malasakit Center in every province and urban center of the country, as well as more funding to increase the bed capacity of public hospitals and improve the delivery of health services.
A Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop bringing together in one room all concerned government agencies such as the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philhealth to make it faster and easier for poor and disadvantaged patients to seek medical and financial assistance from the government.
Go further said a Malasakit Center will soon rise in Laguna Medical Center to cater to the medical needs of the people in the province.
This will be the second in the region, next to the recently launched Malasakit Center in Batangas last Tuesday.
Other priorities in Go’s legislative agenda include education, housing for the poor, agriculture, fire protection and prevention, long-term sports development, the creation of a Department of OFW (overseas Filipino workers) and improved benefits for senior citizens. (Dick Garay/PNA)
