Press Release - Bong Go reminds agencies to ensure immediate, fair, transparent, politics-free utilization and distribution of social programs for the poor

In a manifestation during the Senate plenary session on Tuesday, February 27, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go reiterated his call for immediate and politics-free distribution of aid under the government's social assistance programs.

This statement aligns with Senator JV Ejercito's earlier privilege speech addressing the alleged misuse of the Tulong Panghanap-buhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

In his speech, Go stressed the importance of impartial aid distribution, emphasizing that assistance should be accessible to all Filipinos in need of government attention without bias.

"Yung TUPAD po, dapat tuparin po ito, yung mga pinangako sa mga mahirap...Dapat po'y huwag ipagkait ang tulong sa mga mahirap," Go said.

He highlighted the significant difference that financial assistance, even as modest as PhP3,000, can make in the lives of those struggling to meet basic needs.

"Pera naman po ito ng gobyerno, ibalik natin sa kanila. Kaya nga po tinawag ito na Assistance in Crisis Situations. AICS po, tulong po ito sa mga mahirap," Go urged, referring to the AICS program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development intended to provide immediate aid to qualified indigents facing crises.

"Alam niyo, bawat piso, bawat sentimo, 'yung PhP3,000 na natatanggap nila, mahalaga na po iyon sa mga kababayan natin. Laman na po ng tiyan nila iyon. Huwag nating tagalan. Bilisan po natin ibigay sa kanila. Eh, kung d'yan naman po yung pondo, 'di ba? Huwag nating patagalin po. Ba't pa natin pahirapan? Naghihirap na nga 'yung mga kababayan natin. Pinapahirapan pa," he added.

Go underscored the urgency of the situation, urging his colleagues in the Senate to also look into the matter of delayed or reportedly corruption-ridden aid distribution for the poor and act swiftly to help alleviate the suffering of their constituents.

"Magmalasakit tayo sa mga mahirap nating kababayan. Huwag po sa akin. Magmalasakit po tayo sa mga kababayan nating mahirap na nangangailangan po ng tulong. Lalung lalo na po, 'yung mga biktima po ng bagyo, baha," he urged.

Go shared that his firsthand experiences in disaster-stricken areas