Go to increase number of Negosyo Centers

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential aspirant and Sen. Bong Go vowed to increase the number of Negosyo Centers established nationwide as many small businesses have suffered losses as a result of the pandemic.

Go said he would also work to expand the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso program to provide accessible microfinancing schemes to boost small businesses.

He also stressed the need to sustain the Build Build Build program with the help of the private sector. He noted that as an archipelago, the country needs connectivity through infrastructure projects such as airports, seaports, roads and bridges.

As food security is an integral element of the Philippines’ national security, Go said the agriculture and fisheries sectors need support.

“It is important for us to support our farmers and fisherfolk. Having said this, we will continue to build agricultural support systems and infrastructure, such as farm-to-market roads, to ensure that those in the countryside have equal opportunities for progress,” he added.

Go also emphasized the importance of education in the country’s economic development, citing the need to ensure greater access to quality education and training for Filipinos.

“We need to equip our people with sufficient applicable skills and training, such as financial literacy programs, among others. We must also promote digital literacy and youth entrepreneurship,” he said.

Go also said that if he wins the presidency next year, there will be a policy instituted wherein one Filipino family will have at least one college graduate. “Education is our only investment in this world. So we will make sure that our children can finish school to have a more comfortable future,” he said.

“As we move beyond the ‘new normal,’ we will ensure that our people can maximize the digital transformation happening around us to their advantage while our government is able to sufficiently provide the necessary roadmap through the passage of the E-Governance bill, which I filed in the Senate,” he added.

Go told the business community at the 47th Business Conference and Expo last Thursday that building on the achievements of the Duterte administration will be the best approach to keep the country on course in the face of enormous difficulties.

In the meantime, Go also urged the government to fast-track the vaccination program and ensure that every corner of the country is provided with sufficient vaccines to reach population protection and eventually herd immunity.