Press Release
April 4, 2020

Bong Go recommends one-time 'Bayanihan' financial assistance to LGUs; urges local officials to work with national government agencies to quickly respond to constituents' needs

Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go reiterated his recommendation to the national government to provide local government units a one-time 'Bayanihan' financial assistance equivalent to their one month Internal Revenue Allotment to allow them to respond quicker and more effectively to the needs of their constituents.

In an interview, Go, who is also a member of the Joint Oversight Committee created to oversee the implementation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, said that he understands the difficult responsibilities LGUs have to bear to promote the welfare of their constituents, especially with the ongoing fight against COVID-19. He added that this prompted him to appeal for the provision of additional financial assistance to support the efforts of the LGUs.

"Unang una, naiintindihan ko po. Ako galing po ako sa executive. Nagtrabaho po ako ng tatlong taon kay Pangulong Duterte at sa Davao naman po... from 1998 to 2016," Go said.

"Naiintindihan natin na ang gobyernong lokal ang humaharap sa mismong araw-araw na problema ng kanilang mga nasasakupan. Tulungan natin sila na mabigyan ng dagdag na kapasidad para rumesponde sa pangangailangan ng mga tao," he added, emphasizing that the proposed assistance must be used to address the needs of their constituents.

The Senator stressed that not all LGUs are created equal. Smaller, poorer and far-flung LGUs with fewer tax collections may already be constrained almost a month after Luzon was placed under an enhanced community quarantine. Other provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao also adopted their own quarantine measures.

"Lalo na ngayon, maraming mga tao sa malalayong lugar ang hindi pa tuluyang naabutan ng tulong mula sa national government. Nahihirapan na rin ang LGUs nila na rumesponde sa mga pangangailangan ng kanilang mga nasasakupan," Go added.

Go explained that since the new law has already given the government the appropriate authority and flexibility it needs to immediately respond to this crisis, it would be beneficial to the people if the national government capacitates LGUs further through a release of a one-time 'Bayanihan' financial assistance.

"Ako po'y nanawagan sa Executive, bilisan niyo na po ang pag distribute. Lagi ko pong tinatanong sila, bilang mga dati kong kasamahan sa executive noon, may tiwala naman ako sa kanila, may tiwala rin po ako sa DSWD, kasamahan ko po ito sa executive noon. Umaksyon na tayo agad at bilisan ang pagbigay ng ayuda sa mga kababayan nating nangangailangan," Go stressed.

Meanwhile, Go also pleaded to national and local leaders to act according to their conscience and ensure that the public funds entrusted to them reach Filipinos who need help the most in a transparent, quick, fair and equitable manner.

"Ang importante po dito hindi na po natin kayang isa-isahin o bantayan pa po sila, konsensya nalang po nila ang nakabantay po sa kanilang mga likod sa ganitong panahon," he said.

"Alam niyo pinilit natin silang manatili sa kanilang pamamahay, kailangan nila manatili sa kanilang mga pamamahay para hindi kumalat itong virus na ito. Kung mabibigyan na natin ng cash assistance ang mga tao, mabibili na nila ang kanilang mga pangangailangan para mabuhay katulad ng pagkain at gamot," Go explained.

"Kung walang nagugutom, magiging mapayapa ang mga komunidad. Magiging masunurin ang mga kababayan natin sa ating mga patakaran. Kapag nagugutom at napapabayaan ang mga tao, magkakagulo talaga," Go admitted.

He also asked everyone to set aside politics in the delivery of assistance. "Alam niyo, there should be no politics involved in the distribution of aid and that the funds should be allocated fairly and equitably among the poorest of the poor," he said.

Go also advised the public to be patient and follow protocols in order to stop the spread of the virus and so that this crisis can be resolved the soonest.

"The more na lumalabas tayo... hindi natin alam, hindi natin nakikita itong virus na ito at kumakalat po ito. Hindi po natin nakikita itong ating kalaban. Sumunod nalang po tayo at manatili sa bahay para maproteksyunan ang ating sarili at ang ating pamilya," he added.

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