Bong Go visits San Mateo, Rizal to give aid to fire victims; conducts informal consultations to listen to their concerns

San Mateo, Rizal - Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, regardless of his hectic schedule, continues to visit and provide immediate assistance to fire victims around the country. According to Go, he takes this as an opportunity for him to be more hands-on in providing government services and to be in touch with his constituencies to listen to their concerns.

On Thursday at a fire visit in San Mateo, Rizal, he told the members of the press during an ambush interview that he vowed to be a working senator and "will not limit myself to be just a legislator."

He continued that in the Senate, only four days are allotted for sessions and committee hearings and that he has the rest of the week to work and be in touch with the people he is representing.

"Hindi naman po ako sanay magpahinga kaya magtatrabaho po ako sa natitira kong tatlong araw. Sa walang session ay iikot po ako at kung pwede makatulong," Go explained. "Bababa po ako sa tao, gusto kong mapakinggan sila at makakatulong naman po ito sa pagsusulong ko ng mga batas."

Go further said that these experiences provide him insights to the daily struggles of Filipinos most especially in the areas where accidents and calamities happen.

"Marinig ko yung mga tao, 'Ito may problema kami sir, mga evacuation center, saan kami titira, walang malinis na ano,' yun po ay isa sa aking magiging basehan ko sa mga isusulong ko na mga batas," Go said while sharing his experience in the peace and order situation in many areas of the country.

He cited that in his visits all over the country, he has heard countless of times from the people themselves that prevalence of illegal drugs has lessened but there are still some areas being terrorized by illegal drug peddlers. He said that although the Duterte administration is striving to address the issue of illegal drugs, more can be done through legislation and with the help of the Senate.

"Iyon po ang pwede kong i-report sa komite o sa plenary ng Senado para marinig ang hinaing ng taong bayan at matulungan na mapuksa ang mga problemang hinaharap ng pangkaraniwang Pilipino," he said.

He also told the media that as a public servant, they were chosen by the majority to bring their message to the higher offices. "Kailangan natin pakinggan yung tao, kasi kung sila lang po, hindi po maririnig doon sa taas. I'm a representative of the people," Go emphasized.

The fire that happened on July 8 has left 28 families homeless and twenty-four houses of Phase II Monterey Riverside of Barangay Silangan in San Mateo, Rizal burned down to the ground. The fire victims currently staying at the barangay covered court were given immediate assistance by the senator.

Go distributed food packs and grocery items, and gave financial assistance to the fire victims. He also provided uniforms and school supplies to students while offered residents free fare to go back to their provinces.

He also invited to join him the representatives of different government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Department of Trade and Industry, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor and National Housing Authority, ready to extend their assistance and services.

"Kaya po ako narito para makapagbigay agad ng solusyon at para matulungan kaagad kayo sa inyong problema. Lahat po ng ahensya na nandito tutulong para makabalik po kayo sa normal na pamumuhay," Go told the fire victims during his visit.

Go also reminded the residents of the area to stay away from illegal drugs, criminality and corruption, and help support the government in their fight against these.

On the other hand, Mayor Cristina Diaz of San Mateo, Rizal is grateful of the gesture that Go has shown to her town, most especially to those who were left homeless after the fire.

"Of course mula po sa aming bayan ang San Mateo, Senator Bong thank you very much po. Maraming maraming salamat, alam namin na, alam niyo po marami ho kayong ibang mga bagay na talagang ngayon paghahanda niyo sa inyong first termino po as a Senator, pero inyong sinikap pa rin po na kami po'y bisitahin lalo na po yung aming mga kababayan dito na nasunugan," Diaz told the members of the press. "Habang buhay ho namin yan na tatanawin na utang na loob. Hindi ho namin kayo makakalimutan sa bayan namin. Mahal na mahal po namin kayo Senator Bong."

Go, for his part, ended his short message to the fire victims that he will do what he thinks is right for the people. "Minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong tulong at kabutihan na kaya nating gawin sa kapwa, gawin na po natin ngayon dahil 'di na tayo babalik sa mundong ito," he said.

He then went on to have a good lunch with TODA members through a boodle fight and discussed with them his plans on how to help uplift the lives of poor Filipinos.

"Nandito po ako para magserbisyo sa inyo. Huwag niyo ako ituring na Senador, ako po ay tulad niyo rin lang na magnanais magkaroon ng mas magandang kinabukasan ang ating mga anak," he said.