DAVAO CITY (March 1) – –In his first time in the highlands of Apayao, former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) and 2019 senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go bared his plans Wednesday to push sports development in the country, starting from the grassroots.
“In the next 3 years, we will focus on sports development as one of the ways to develop the youth into productive citizens especially in the grassroots,” Go declared.
The former SAP visited the province of Apayao to attend the opening program of the Cordillera Region Athletic Association held at the Apayao Eco-Tourism and Sports Complex in the town of Luna, where he received a warm welcome from officials and residents of the area.
Go, a sports advocate, explained that nationwide sports development can not only lead to the discovery and development of world-class athletes who could represent the country in international competitions but also help instill discipline, sportsmanship and hard work to the youth.
“Mahalaga ang sports development sa ating bansa” said Go. “Ito ay nakakatulong upang ang mga bata ay maging disiplinado at produktibong miyembro ng lipunan na kaya rin kumatawan sa ating bansa sa iba’t-ibang kompetisyon at sporting events,” he added.
More importantly, Go said encouraging the youth to participate in sports would lead them away from negative influences, including illegal drugs, and instead focus their energy towards useful service-oriented activities.
“Sa halip na gumagala sa kalye ang mga bata, nagta-training sila para makasali at, hopefully, manalo sa mga kompetisyon. Di hamak na mas maayos na ito kaysa sa magkaroon ng pagkakataon na ma-involve pa sila sa droga,” Go observed.
“Maganda rin na maging aktibo ang kabataan sa kanilang komunidad. Maliban sa sports, pwede rin sila makilahok sa pagseserbisyo sa kapwa,” he added.
Go said that if elected to the Senate, he would support programs for continuous sports development.
“Asahan po ninyo na tutulong po ako sa pagsusulong ng mga programa na tutugon sa long-term sports development. Tutulong po tayo para mabigyan ng sapat na pondo ang mga training programs ng ating mga atleta, pondo para sa kagamitan nila, at pondo para sa kumpletong training facilities para sa kanila,” Go said.
Go reiterated his commitment to serve Filipinos the best way he could and to reach out to them wherever they are.
“First time ko po dito sa Apayao. Kahit na first time ko po, makakaasa po kayo na di po ito ang huling pagbisita ko sa lugar na ito. Kahit saang sulok po kayo nakitira, pupuntahan ko po kayo dahil nais kong magserbisyo sa aking kapwa Pilipino,” Go said.
“Lagi din po ninyong tandaan na patuloy po akong magiging tulay ninyo kay Pangulong Duterte,” he added.
For his senatorial bid, Bong Go has prepared a legislative agenda that includes programs for agriculture, agriculture, housing, improved health service delivery, education, localized peace talks, anti-drug and crime drive, anti-corruption drive, barangay welfare, creation of a Department of OFWs, as well as increased government support for senior citizens .-PR
