SBG unveils business, economic plans before PCCI

PRESIDENTIAL aspirant, Senator Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go, assured the country’s business leaders of the continuation of the Duterte administration’s programs and policies, particularly those that promote economic growth and improve the lives of Filipinos, should he gets elected as president.

Go presented his campaign platform, including his plans related to business and the economy in front of members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the largest business organization in the country, during the group’s ‘Presidentiables’ Forum’ held last November 18, 2021, which was part of the 47th Philippine Business Conference and Expo.

In his opening statement, Go underscored his battle cry of “Serbisyong may tapang at malasakit.”   He vowed to continue to enforce, implement, and improve Pres. Duterte’s programs that include among others the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) microfinancing scheme program that provided assistance to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), especially those that were greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Go further said that his Administration will aim for recovery by 2022 by providing assistance to MSMEs thru access to credit and financial assistance to distressed businesses and mandating government financial institutions (GFIs) to expand their credit programs to assist affected MSMEs in meeting their liquidity needs.

Go also believes that the Build Build Build program should be continued to fuel economic recovery, as he also expressed the view of the need to continue partnering with the private sector, improve tax collections, and exercise prudent fiscal management to ensure sustainability of the program.

For the agriculture and fisheries sectors, Senator Go said he will continue to build agriculture support systems and infrastructure, and enhance the National Rice Program, Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, and other programs for farmers and fisherfolk.

Go likewise fully supports digital transformation and increasing productivity, citing the proposed E-Governance Act, which he authored in the Senate and which can serve as a blueprint and model in transforming many processes digitally.

Joining Pres. Duterte on the same day during a visit to Mindoro, Go was personally endorsed by the Chief Executive as “his” presidential candidate next year.

Pres. Duterte was in the province to inaugurate several infrastructure projects and attend a meeting with local officials.

During the event, Duterte reiterated his prior pronouncement that Go is his presidential candidate, sharing how the senator became his personal aide for 23 years.

“I am not into politicking but let me just state for the record and they know that in certain terms that ang kandidato ko pagka-Presidente ay si Bong Go,” Duterte said.

Transportation secretary Arthur Tugade, during the visit, also praised Go for his determination in pushing for infrastructure projects that will benefit millions of Filipinos and the economy.

“Nagpapasalamat din ako sa Gabinete. Lalo’t higit ang kasama namin noon, si Senator Bong Go. Siya ho ay sigi-sige ang pagtutulak at sigi-sige ang sinasabi niya, ‘Art, gawin mo ito. Tutulungan kita rito’,” Tugade recounted.

“Tinulungan niya ako sa pag-aasikaso ng mga improvement ng puerto rito at tutulungan niya ako sa pagbabago at improvement ng paliparan,” Tugade bared further.

“Senator Bong Go, sir, this is the first time I’m going to say it. You have helped the Department of Transportation for so long and for so much.

“Accept from the bottom of my heart my gratitude for and on behalf of the Department of Transportation,” Tugade declared.