Sen. Bong Go: More of an ally of Bicolanos than foe

By Aireen Pural

Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go filed his certificate of candidacy for Vice President in the May 2022 elections amidst rumors of Duterte’s endorsement to succeed him as president of the country.

Go, a stalwart in the Duterte administration, vowed to continue the administration’s flagship programs, particularly the controversial anti-drug campaign and the completion of the Build, Build, Build projects. He also promised to fight poverty through the Malasakit Centers he has already established all over the country.

In an interview, Go said that should he get elected, he would be a “working vice president.”

“Hindi ako magiging spare tire o reserba lamang. Asahan ninyo na ako ay totoong magtatrabaho — hindi lang sa salita, kundi sa gawa,” he said.

Go’s recent works in the province of Camarines Sur, particularly RA 11478 or the Bicol Medical Center (BMC) Law and the Almeda-Mabolo Bypass Road, are snippets of his sincerity in getting the job done, and just that – no politics.

RA 11478 increased the bed capacity of the BMC from 500 to 1,000 beds, upgrading its facilities and professional health care services, and authorizing the increase of its medical workforce complement. Go was the principal sponsor of this law in the Senate.

The Almeda-Mabolo Bypass Road, a two-kilometer long, 20-meter wide highway, aims to decongest traffic going through Naga City via Roxas Boulevard. The bypass road will include lanes for bikers and pedestrians with tree-lined highways. The project will further help develop a park and recreation center and a Bicol River esplanade.

In early 2020, Go allocated P20 million from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for the preparatory works of the road project. The remaining P235 million for its construction is included in the 2021 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Further, to assist in the development of the province of Camarines Sur, Go also worked for the funding of various infrastructure projects including the: Garchitorena Road and other missing road links; construction and improvement of San Fernando Sports Complex in San Fernando town; and a revetment and improvement of the channel at the Bula and Nabua Section of the Barit River.

Go’s entry to the vice presidential race instead of the presidential race promises a fruitful future for the Bicol region.

Noel De Luna, a Bicolano businessman-cum-political activist and friend of the senator, has this to say about Senator Go: “He has his heart in the right place for our fellow Bicolanos and is accessible and accommodating to all Bicol politicians and policy decision-makers regardless of their political colors and affiliations. For all these, I will always be grateful to him and will support him in his bid for the second-highest post of the land.”