KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato – Former Special Assistant to the President and 2019 senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Monday vowed to help President Rodrigo Duterte in his campaign to rid the government of corrupt officials.
Speaking at the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) campaign rally at the Capitol Provincial Gymnasium here, Go thanked the residents of the city for their warm welcome, particularly during his motorcade earlier.
“Maraming salamat po sa mga kababayan ko dito sa Kidapawan at North Cotabato. Tulad po ng ibang lugar na pinuntahan namin, napaka-init po ng pagtanggap ninyo, sing-init ng panahon. Nakakawala po talaga ng pagod pag nakikita mo ang ganung klase ng suporta,” Go said.
In his message to the people of Kidapawan and the entire province, Go reiterated his vow to support President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption.
“Ipagpapatuloy ko po ang mga pagbabago ng nasimulan ni Pangulong Duterte. Yung kampanya laban sa iligal na droga, kampanya laban sa kriminalidad, at kampanya laban sa corruption isusulong ko po,” Go said.
Zeroing in on corruption, Go lamented that it takes a big bite out of the funds intended for projects and programs meant for the benefit of the people.
“Marami pong nagpapawis, tumulong kay Pangulong Duterte noong kampanya. Pero sabi niPangulong Duterte pagpumasok ka sa corruption, hiwa-hiwalay na tayo. Interest muna ng bayan bago interest ng sarili o kaibigan. Marami na pong sinipang opisyal si Pangulong Duterte dahil sa corruption,” Go said.
Earlier, Go had urged people to report to him, to the Truth and Justice Coalition, or to the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission any information on corrupt officials and they can be sure it would be acted upon immediately.
“Tulungan nyo po si Pangulong Duterte sa kanyang kampanya aban sa mga corrupt na opisyal. Ibulong nyo lang po sa akin, o iparating ninyo sa Truth and Justice Coalition of Greco Belgica, o kaya sa PACC,” Go had said.
As part of his legislative agenda for agriculture, Go called for improved irrigation services to curb the effects of the perennial dry spell the country experiences, noting reports that the dry spell had affected about 15,000 hectares of farmland.
Go said improved irrigation system, coupled with better management of water resources could not only help bring a bountiful harvest for the farmers but also support the operation of residents engaged in fish farming.
“Pagbutihin pa natin ang irigasyon para bukod sa patubig sa bukid ay magkaroon ng tubig ang mga fish ponds. Bigyan din natin ng binhi ng isda ang mga mangingisda para tuloy ang kabuhayan nila,” said Go.
“Dapat palakasin pa natin ang suporta ng pamahalaan sa pagbibigay ng mga abono, binhi, makinarya at mga pagsasanay. Ilalayo natin ang mga magsasaka sa 5-6 dahil pahihiramin natin sila ng puhunan na may mababang interes. Gusto ko na magkaroon sila ng alternatibong pagkakabuhayan,” he added.
He also assured the people of North Cotabato that they can count on him to support the Duterte administration’s infrastructure and development programs, particularly those that are directly beneficial to the people of the province.
He cited, among others, the on-going Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project (Phase 11) located in North Cotabato and Maguindanaoarea, that would divert irrigation water from Maridagao River to deliver timely and adequate irrigation water to 9,784 hectares of agricultural lands.
There are also various farms to market road projects in the province to enable farmers to transport their products faster to the market such as the concreting of Mahongcog to SitioTagaytay road, upgrading of Bangkal Sitio Apog-Apog road, improvement of Manobisa Crossing Iwal to SitioTimodos road, and concreting of PBMA – SitioHijara-Tombao road. Proponents have been required to submit the requirements for these projects.
To mitigate the effects of flash floods that destroy properties, crops, and livestock, the Duterte administration is embarking on a P1.4-billion project to dredge and realign the Simuay River and its shoreline. The NEDA has already approved the project in February this year and civil works are expected to begin by this year.
Topmost among Go’s priorities in his legislative agenda is the crusade to improve the delivery of health services in the country, particularly through the establishment of Malasakit Center. It’s a one, stop shop that makes it easier and faster for indigents to avail of medical and financial assistance from the government by bringing together in one room all concerned agencies such as DOH, DSWD, PCSO, and Philhealth.
“It’s a continuing program of the Duterte administration. Gusto ko po itong maisa batas pagdating ng panahon para tuloy-tuloyang programa kahit hindina pangulo si Pangulong Duterte at mas madagdagan pa ang ating mga Malasakit Center,” Go said.
Other priority concerns in Go’s legislative agenda include programs for education, housing for the poor, fire protection and prevention, long-term sports development, localized peace talks, barangay welfare, creation of a department of OFW and better support for senior citizens.
“Asahan nyo po, patuloy ninyo akong magiging tulay kay Pangulong Duterte. Wala po kaming ibanghangarin ni Pangulong Dutertekundiangkabutihan ng Pilipino dahilmahalnamin kayo,” Go said.
“Ang bisyo ko po, magserbisyo. Naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” he added.

CARIGARA, Leyte- The supporters of Leyte second district Rep.Henry Ong in Carigara town vowed to deliver 90% of votes to assure him his second term.
The leaders and big families in this Leyte town convene last Saturday(April 20), to solidify their commitment in giving their 100% support of their representative “anak han Carigara”.
According to them, it will take many more years for an “anak han Carigara” to make it to Congress so they should support their own. Admittedly the group said that opposition is inevitable, thus, 90% of votes were committed by the group.
In the 2016 elections, Ong defeated veteran politician, then congressman Sergio Apostol, whose clan ruled the second district of Leyte for more than three decades.
The group believes that the Rep. Ong can do more for the district.
In his three year stint as congressman, Ong authored and co-authored 13 Republic Acts and 66 House bills.
Currently Ong is the chairman of the committee on banks and financial intermediaries and member of 12 committees at the House of Representative.
In Carigara alone, a total of P 3,588,913,513.00 based on 2017-2019 General Appropriations Act was allocated.
This for the construction of roads, roads to economic zone, bridges, flood management, port, drainage system, multi-purpose building, school buildings and classrooms, irrigation projects as well as cash based programs and activity projects.
“We are satisfied by his performance. We want him back. We will support “anak han Carigara,” they said.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY- Indeed, fashion products like handbags and shoes produced by artisans from Samar have arrived at the national scene.
During this year’s Katha Awards of the Manila FAME, the Lara Samar was adjudged as the best product in the fashion design category and the People’s Choice Award.
The awarding was held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City with the show to end today (April 27).
‘Lara’ is the brand name used to refer to products made by the local artisans as it refers to how these products are made. The term ‘lara’ is a Waray term which means waiving
The Lara brand was officially launched to the national scene by Governor Sharee Ann Tan last March 9,2018 at the SM Megamall Fashion Mall to positive feedbacks and acclaim.
“I am proud to reveal that Lara Samar won best product (Fashion Design) and People’s Choice Award during the Katha Awards at this year’s Manila FAME,” Tan, in a message she posted on her Facebook account said.
“I wish to thank our Lara team, most especially our beloved banig weavers of Basey, for making the AMON Collection possible! Excellent work and great team effort! Let’s continue to support to our beloved banig (mat),” the governor added.
The Katha Awards of the Manila FAME is considered to be the country’s premier design and lifestyle event organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry.
Gov. Tan has been pushing the promotion of local products of Samar as part of her banner tourism campaign, Spark Samar.
Tan, who is on her third and last term as governor, said that though she is seeking the second congressional district of the province in this year’s midterm elections, she will continue to support the local artisans in making their products known not only in the country but even abroad.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)