On Friday, July 9, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, in coordination with the National Housing Authority, spearheaded the turnover of 500 housing units for the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police as part of the government’s commitment to provide decent and comfortable housing units to the military and police.

During his speech, Go shared that the St. Michael Village housing project inside the 3.36-hectare land area located in Brgy. Songculan, Dauis, Bohol is a testament of the Duterte administration’s efforts to uplift the lives and promote the welfare of uniformed personnel and their families.

“Tabangi mi ninyo ni Presidente Duterte sa kampanya kontra sa korapsyon sa gobyerno. Kampanya kontra sa kriminalidad o kampanya kontra sa iligal nga droga,” he said, acknowledging their crucial role in the campaign against corruption, illegal drugs, and criminality.

“Suko si Presidente sa iligal nga droga, suko pud ko. Tabangi ninyo siya. Kamo lay makatabang sa amo, dili muasenso ang atong nasud kung dili ta magtinabangay,” he added.

Go further hailed NHA for delivering on President Rodrigo Duterte’s instruction to increase the lot size of each house from 40 to 80 square meters, and the floor size from 20 to 60 square meters, saying, “hindi papayag si Presidente Duterte na lugi o masikip ang inyong mga housing kaya bago na ang design na itinayo para sa mga militar at pulis.”

In addition to the housing units, NHA gave further assistance to qualified beneficiaries through their Emergency Housing Assistance Program.

Go gave recognition to the uniformed personnel for the sacrifices and service they do for the country as they continue to risk their lives to protect the nation even amid the global pandemic. He, then, led the awarding ceremony of housing units to 100 identified beneficiaries in attendance at the Brgy. Songculan Covered Court.

“Sa mga sundalo at pulis, salamat talaga sa inyong serbisyo… kayo rin ang tinatawag na frontliner sa panahon ngayon. Hindi talaga mababayaran ang inyong sakripisyo,” Go expressed.

“Hindi ko na kinakailangan na sabihin pa, kami ni Presidente Duterte, sa mga pulis, militar, BJMP at Bureau of Fire (Protection) ay full support kami sa inyo, lalo na sa trabaho,” he added.

As then Special Assistant to the President, he had pushed for the salary increase of all uniformed personnel in fulfillment of President Duterte’s campaign promise during the early years of this administration.

“Makakaasa kayo na patuloy naming susuportahan ni Pangulong Duterte ang lahat ng mga programa at inisyatibo na naglalayong mapabuti ang pamumuhay ng ating mga kasundaluhan, pulis, at mga kawani ng gobyerno. Asahan niyo na patuloy kaming magsisikap para sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya hanggang matapos ang aming termino,” vowed Go.

Furthermore, Go and his team extended more help as they distributed meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins to the beneficiaries while they enforced strict safety and health protocols to ensure the well-being of the recipients and to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

The Senator also gave new pairs of shoes to some recipients while there were others that received bicycles. Meanwhile, Go gave select beneficiaries computer tablets for their children’s educational use.

To address the need for affordable and quality housing nationwide, Go renewed his call for the passage of his filed measure, Senate Bill No. 203, also known as the National Housing Development, Production and Financing Act of 2019. Under the said measure, it aims to institutionalize a comprehensive housing program that will address the needs of Filipinos in various parts of the country.

“Hangarin ko na wala nang squatter sa sariling bayan. Gusto kong magkaroon ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino ng isang maayos at disenteng bahay,” Go earlier said as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing.

Go also filed Senate Bill No. 1227, or the Rental Housing Subsidy Program Act of 2019 which aims to establish a housing and social protection program with the end view of enabling Informal Settler Beneficiaries to lead decent lives by supporting them in accessing the formal housing market by offering a rental subsidy.

“Uulitin ko po: hangga’t andito po ako susubukan kong magkaroon ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino ng isang maayos at disenteng tirahan,” Go previously said.

Meanwhile, Go reminded beneficiaries to continue adhering to COVID-19 prevention measures. He, then, reassured the beneficiaries that the government continues to strive to provide sufficient vaccines for Filipinos.

“Makit-an nato na naay pag-asa, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Salig lang ta sa bakuna kay wala nay lain nga solusyon diri kung dili ang bakuna,” said Go.

“Kung gusto nyo maabrihan ang turismo ninyo og mubalik na sa una, pagsalig lang kamo sa bakuna pero samtang dili pa normal ang kinabuhi nato, magtinabangay lang ta. Kinsa pa diay magtinabangay kung dili kita lang man na nagkahiusa na katawhang Pilipino, magtinabangay lang ta og wala nay lain,” he added.

The Chair of the Senate Committee on Health offered help to residents with health concerns and advised them to visit the Malasakit Centers at Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbiliran City or at Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital in Ubay, Bohol if they may need medical assistance.

The Malasakit center is a one-stop shop that hosts the concerned agencies that offer medical assistance programs to particularly poor and indigent patients.

“Sa mga kamag-anak niyo, magsabi lang kayo. Kung hindi kayang operahan dito sa Bohol, kung kailangan ninyo ng tulong sa Maynila, Heart Center, Lung Center, Kidney Center, sa mga transplant, magsabi lang kayo sa opisina namin ni Presidente Duterte, kami na ang magpapa-ospital sa mga kamag-anak ninyo,” he added.

To boost economic growth in Bohol, Go supported the funding of various infrastructure projects such as concreting of roads around the island and the construction of multi-purpose buildings particularly in Dauis town to accelerate economic development and improve public service delivery.

The Senator acknowledged Representative Edgardo Chatto, Governor Arthur Yap, Vice Governor Rene Lopez Relampagos, Mayor Marietta Sumaylo, and Vice Mayor Luciano Bongalos, for their hard work and determination to ensure that their community recovers, especially during these unprecedented times.

During the visit, Go also personally handed out assistance to 200 farmers and fisherfolk, and 30 former rebels in Dauis town. Earlier that day, he also witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony for a joint housing project for the AFP and PNP at Barangay Pulangbato in Cebu City.