DAVAO CITY (February 5) — – Former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) and 2019 senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go wants a department to cater the concerns of the Overseas Filipino Workers.
In an interview with reporters during the weekend, Go emphasized the need for a Department of OFW that will specifically attend and address to the concerns of the OFW and look after their welfare.
“Kaya nga po gusto kong isulong itong Department of OFW para mayroon pong nakatutok lang po sa ating mga OFW. Minsan kasi, hindi nila alam kung saan sila hihingi ng tulong,” Go stated.
The former SAP and aspiring senator issued this statement on Daily Info with Dianne Querrer, a public affairs program on PTV-4.
Bong Go mentioned the need for a government agency that directly handles the specific concerns of OFWs as there is often confusion on the part of Filipinos who work overseas during instances wherein they require actual government aid and intervention.
“Minsan lalapit sila sa OWWA, POEA, DOLE, pati po DFA kasi di nila alam kung anong ahensya ng gobyerno ang gagawa ng paraan para masolusyunan ang problema at hinaing nila,” Go told the program’s host.
Bong Go narrated how he and his supporters rescued 9 Filipino OFWs who became victims of human trafficking in Kuwait.
“(Noong) nakaraang taon po, mayroon mga siyam (9) na LGBT po (na) naging biktima ng human trafficking sa Kuwait. Nagtrabaho po sila as masahista kaya lang po, pagdating doon (sa Kuwait), pinagtrabaho po sila (nang may) extra sexual service (para sa mga kliyente) so ‘yung iba po ay nagkasakit,” Go said.
“Pinagamot po natin (‘yung mga masahista na nagkasakit) at kinasuhan po natin ‘yung recruiter (matapos magtago) po (ito) nang ilang buwan. Talagang (tinutukan) natin (ang kasong ito) hanggang finally po ay nahuli (ang mga salarin) at (nakasuhan po sila sa isang kasong) non-bailable,” Go added.
Go also discussed the other functions that his proposed Department for OFWs may carry out.
“Pati po pakikipag-coordinate sa embahada, (pwede pong gawin sa tulong) ng Department of OFW. Isang opisina na lang po ang lalapitan (nilang mga OFW) tulad na lang po (kapag), halimbawa, may sakit po ‘yung (isang) OFW abroad at gusto pong pumunta ng anak o ng pamilya nila para (bumisita) at (mag-alaga ng maysakit). Mapapabilis po ang koordinasyon at may mag-a-assist po sa ating mga kapatid na Pilipino (sa tulong ng Department of OFW). (Mapapabilis) po (talaga) ang proseso,” Go said.
Apart from the creation of a Department of OFW, Bong Go has a legislative agenda for his senatorial campaign that covers agriculture, housing, improved delivery of healthcare services, education, long-term sports development, fire protection and prevention, localized peace talks, anti-drugs and criminality drive, anti-corruption drive, barangay welfare, and improved benefits for senior citizens.
“Gusto kong isulong talaga itong Department of OFW kasi siguradong marami po talaga ang matutulungan ng ahensyang ito. Wala naman po kaming ibang hangarin ni Pangulong Duterte kung hindi kabutihan ng bawat Pilipino.”-NewsLIne.ph
