SENATORIAL aspirant Christopher “Bong” Go has vowed to work on the extension of terms among barangay officials from three to four years.
Go issued the statement during a gathering of Aetas in Central Luzon in Clark Friday, December 21.
Dring the event attended by more than 3,000 Aetas from Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac, Go said he already talked to President Duterte about his plan to exetend the terms of barangay chairmen and councilmen.
Incumbent barangay leaders' terms was already reduced to only two years following the extension of terms of the previous village officials, according to Go.
“Nakausap ko po si Pangulong Duterte. Kung sakaling kaawaan po ako isusulong ko po yung pag-extend ng termino ninyong kapitan kasi kulang yung two years ninyo. Atsaka kinain ng previous term yung isang taon ninyo. Anong magagawa ninyo sa dalawang taon? Dapat minimum of four years ang inyong term (I talked to President Duterte. If they pity me, I will push for the term extension of barangay captains because two years is not enough. Besides, one term has already been taken previously. What can you do in two years? The term should be a minimum of four years),” he added.
In coordination with Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Martin Dino, Go said he is pushing for the extension of the village chiefs' terms.
He also vowed to prioritize the Magna Carta for barangay chairmen.
“Nagusap na kami ni Usec Dino, ilalaban namin yung magna carta para sa mga barangay chairmen (Undersecretary Dino and I already discussed this and we will fight for the magna carta of barangay chairmen).”
If elected senator, Go said he will implement medical programs, anti-drugs, peace and order, agriculture, education and others.
Go told newsmen that there is a need to help the indigenous people all over the country. “Marami silang nabanggit na issues at problema so kailangan tulungan natin sila, mga Pilipino din naman ang mga yaan (They mentioned a lot of issues and problems so we need to help them. They are Filipinos anyway).”
Local officials present during the event initiated by the Alayansa Ng Katutubong Ayta n Pilipinas (AKAP) were Former President and Pampanga Second District Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda, Vice-Governor Dennis Pineda, Angeles City Mayor Ed Pamintuan, Mabalacat City Vice-Mayor Christian Halili and others.
Various organizations in Central Luzon, including the Alpha Phi Omega, Guardians, and Masons, vowed support to Go's senatorial bid.