Go to opposition: Speak on water concession row

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go on Tuesday dared the opposition to speak up on the issues against water concessionaires as he distributed cash and relief assistance to fire victims in Pasig City.

Go also dared Vice President Leni Robredo to reveal early her discoveries on the government’s war on drugs, which she said she would do on Monday.

“I call on you, now is the time to talk. This is what you should criticize. Let’s put the interest of the Filipino first,” Go told reporters in Filipino, addressing opposition figures who have not released any statement about the contracts inked between the government and Maynilad and Manila Water in 1997 and 1999, respectively.

President Duterte had earlier said that the contracts are disadvantageous to the government and refused to comply with the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Singapore that the Philippine government should pay Manila Water P7.39 billion.

The company has claimed to have incurred losses because the government stopped implementing water rate hikes since 2015.

Duterte and Go lambasted the companies for not meeting certain obligations in the contracts and called into question the integrity of the representatives of the government who signed the contracts.

He said the opposition criticizes and denigrades whatever good the administration does, but with this blunder of the past, they have nothing to say.

As to Robredo’s statement, Go responded: “Why wait for Monday? You can do this tomorrow, or even today. It’s Tuesday, we have to wait six days. It’s just for suspense.”

Robredo said she would reveal her findings and recommendations when she acted as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs for 19 days.

“There’s nothing to be scared of. The ones who should be scared are the addicts, the drug lords. You watch out because Duterte will not let up on drugs,” Go said.

The senator was at an evacuation center in Barangay Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City to provide aid to 112 families who were affected by a fire that occurred at the Syvel Compound and Elpidio Santos Street in Balsancat Village on Wednesday last week.

Comprising 566 individuals who have lost their homes in the incident, Go distributed food, grocery packs and cash assistance.

He also told students affected in the fire incident he would give them a new set of uniform and school supplies to enable them to resume their studies immediately.

During his visit, Go also offered one-way fare for those who wish to leave the city to start anew in their respective provinces.          

The victims also received assistance from representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Housing Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Some officials of the barangay and the city were also present during the visit.

He also told the people if they are sick they can go to the Malasakit Center which is ready to help them with their medical needs.

The senator explained to the fire victims that the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop for all Filipinos, particularly the poor and indigent patients, where they can ask for assistance from the different government agencies now housed under one roof.

“The Malasakit Center Act of 2019 has been passed. This is now a law and cannot be stopped,” Go said.