Press Release - Bong Go calls on DSWD to ensure efficient and impartial distribution of aid for the poor

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, during the Senate plenary session on the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) 2024 budget on Thursday, November 16, called for impartiality and efficiency in the distribution of governmental aid to qualified poor and vulnerable sectors.

"Sana po'y hindi maging selective ang opisina. Huwag po nating gamitin ito sa politika... huwag po nating pagsamantalahan 'yung mga kababayan nating mahihirap para lang po sa politika," said Go.

"'Yan po ang pakiusap ko, and I'm sure our good secretary alam po niya 'yan. Matagal ka na pong naging mayor, mambabatas at alam ko may puso ka rin po sa ating mga kababayang mahihirap," he added.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and member of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Go began his statement by expressing his unwavering support for programs aimed at assisting the most vulnerable Filipinos.

"I am here to support the programs that would address the welfare and needs of Filipinos who are most vulnerable and in need of assistance, lalung-lalo na po 'yung mga kababayan nating walang matakbuhan kundi tayo pong nasa gobyerno," said Go.

"Basta mga programa na nakakatulong sa ating mga kababayan, nakahanda po akong sumuporta," he added.

"Isa ako sa mga nagsulong na madagdagan ang budget ng DSWD para sa taong ito," Go said, indicating his active role in previous budget enhancements.

His support to DSWD was evident in his personal recount of on-ground activities, "Mahal na mahal ko po ang DSWD. Magkasama po tayo kapag may sunog, pinupuntahan ko talaga 'yan. Minsan nauuna pa ako sa inyo doon sa sunog."

"Totoo 'yan. Bagyo, baha, lindol, putok ng bulkan, buhawi. And even in my small capacity as a senator, kahit personal ko po, ang aking opisina, kahit papaano nakakapagbigay kami ng counterpart (na tulong bukod sa ayuda mula DSWD) sa ating mga kababayan tulad ng pagkain, bitamina, facemask, at iba pa," he added.

Go reiterated his call for an equitable and non-political distribution of aid saying, "it is therefore our duty to ensure that these programs are truly beneficial to our countrymen and that our kababayans who are in crisis will not be deprived of the services of the