PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go pledged to bolster the housing initiatives for the country’s military and police personnel during a groundbreaking ceremony for a ‘soon-to-rise’ joint housing project for the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police in Cebu City on Friday, July 9.

The ceremony was held at the South Park Residences in Barangay Pulangbato and personally witnessed by the Senator, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino, and National Housing Authority General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr.

“It is an honor to join you for this groundbreaking ceremony … The soon-to-rise South Park Residences here in Cebu City, which is specifically built for our uniformed personnel and government employees, is a testament to how much the government values their service, sacrifice and dedication to our country,” said Go.

“Ang kanilang hindi-matatawarang serbisyo sa ating bayan ang nagsisilbing inspirasyon sa amin ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte, kasama ng mga kapwa-kawani sa gobyerno, na tumbasan ang kanilang pagsasakripisyo. Kaya sinusubukan naming bumawi sa pamamagitan ng pagsulong at pagtupad ng mga programa at proyektong gaya nito para sa kanilang kapakanan,” he continued.

The said project is part of the Government Employees Housing Program of the NHA. It shall be comprised of three residential buildings with 850 two-bedroom units altogether, commercial facilities, community amenities, landscaped gardens, and a tree-lined road network in a development area of roughly 2.1 hectares.

The project is expected to be completed in February 2023 and has a total budget of P1.6 billion.

The Senator, in his remarks, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the AFP and PNP, and their families, are treated with respect and dignity and will not suffer disadvantage because of their service.

“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.

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. Now, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement, Go vowed to push for the enactment of bills that will increase housing production and provide military and nonmilitary families with access to affordable homes.

In 2019, the Senator had filed the National Housing Development, Production and Financing Act of 2019 which shall create a long-term socialized housing plan in the country and provide urban poor populations and informal settlers with decent homes. The proposed law will also give continuous funding support to implement the major components of the National Housing Development, Production and Financing Program even beyond the Duterte Administration

He also filed the Rental Subsidy Program Act in the same year as a complementary bill to help displaced families by offering them subsidies so they can have a safe place during the interim process of construction and relocation.

To honor the hard work and sacrifices of the men and women in government service, Go provided additional support to the personnel of NHA. They handed out meals, vitamins, masks and face shields to select uniformed personnel in attendance.

Furthermore, select personnel received new pairs of shoes while others were provided bicycles which they may use to ride to work. Others were provided computer tablets for their children’s educational use.

The Senator, who is Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, also assured that his office is ready to help should they require assistance in accessing medical and health-related services.

He further advised them to visit their nearest Malasakit Center where they may conveniently avail of medical assistance from the government. The center is a one stop-shop which brings together the medical assistance programs of the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Offices.

There are currently 127 Malasakit Centers nationwide, six of which are found in Cebu province. The locations are the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital in Cebu City; Eversley Child Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City; Cebu South Medical Center in Talisay City; Lapu-Lapu District Hospital in Lapu-Lapu City; and Carcar Provincial Hospital in Carcar City.

“Mayroon lang akong pakiusap sa mga taga-Cebu, magtiwala kayo sa gobyerno at sa bakuna. Ang bakuna ang susi para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa normal natin na pamumuhay,” appealed Go.

“Huwag kayong matakot sa bakuna. Nag-usap na kami ng mga opisyales ninyo para bilisan ang pag-dedeploy ng mga bakuna. Target natin makamtan ang herd immunity ngayong taon para masaya ang ating Pasko at mayakap na natin ang ating kapwa Pilipino sa susunod na taon,” he ended.

The Senator went on to thank his fellow public officials for their efforts in serving members of the armed forces, other government employees and their families. They included Mayor Edgardo Labella who was represented by Councilor Raymond Garcia, NHA Regional Manager Engineer Hermes Juntillo, AFP Commander Lt. Gen. Roberto Ancan, and PNP Regional Director PBGen. Ronnie Montejo.

To boost development in Cebu, Go supported the funding for the construction of a multi-purpose building for the local Bahay Silangan center and the rehabilitation and expansion of the multi-purpose building area in Brgy. Duljo Fatima in Cebu City.

After the activity, Go proceeded to Dauis, Bohol where he witnessed the turnover of housing units to AFP and PNP personnel and disaster victims. He also led the distribution of aid to farmers, fisherfolk and beneficiaries under the ending local communist armed conflict efforts of the government in a separate activity. (OSBG)