The National Capital Region-Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (NCR Toda) Coalition has pledged their support for the candidacy of Senate aspirant Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.
“We solemnly swear to support the candidacy of Go as senator. We assure you of our partnership in working for the change President Rodrigo Duterte is pushing for,” the NCR TODA said in a manifest.
Signed by Toda leaders in Metro Manila led by NCR Toda Coalition President Ace Sevilla, the pledge of support was given to Go during the Pasig City First Toda Summit held at Urbano Velasco Avenue in Barangay Pinagbuhatan last Saturday.
Earlier in the day, Go went around Pasig City in a motorcade. He thanked the people of the city for the enthusiastic reception he received from them.
Speaking at the summit, Go reaffirmed his commitment to champion the cause of the Toda and promote their welfare, recalling that a chance meeting with Sevilla in a eatery in Pasay City marked the beginning of his earnest efforts to help the Toda. “We swapped stories. He spoke of the grievances of the Toda. I told him I will bring these to President Duterte. Hence, we have the Toda Summit,” Go said.
In January this year, the government held a national Toda Summit in Pasay City to listen to the concern of the tricycle operators and drivers in the country. Toda officials were also invited to Malacanang to express their concerns.
Sevilla noted that during their meeting with President Duterte, arranged by Go, he requested fuel subsidy for tricycle drivers similar to that enjoyed by jeepney drivers. He said this would soon be realised through the help of the private sector. Go assured the Toda that if elected to the Senate he would undertake a review of existing laws, including those governing their livelihood and operations, to ensure the regulations would be beneficial to them.
The former top aide of President Duterte also told them that he remains committed to supporting the campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte against criminality, corruption and illegal drugs, as he warned them to stay away from drugs.
In addition, Go said he supports the Duterte administration’s development and infrastructure programmes, noting there are many ongoing and planned projects that would benefit not only Pasig but other adjacent cities in Metro Manila.
Among others, he cited P27.3bn project for the construction of consisting of 10 bridges crossing the Pasig-Marikina River and Manggahan Floodway. The government has requested international loan financing for the project since June 6, 2018.
There were also plans for other bridges such as the Mercury-Evangelista Bridge, the JP Rizal-Lopez Jaena Bridge, as well as the BGC-Ortigas Link, all meant to reduce traffic and improve travel time between Pasig and nearby cities in Metro Manila, among others.
Likewise, Go told the Toda in Pasig that they could also benefit from his advocacy to improve the delivery of health services in the country, particularly through the establishment of Malasakit Center. Out of the 34 Malasakit Center currently in operation, three are in the NCR. Other priority concerns Go had identified to be part of his legislative agenda include agriculture, housing, education, long-term sports development, fire protection and prevention, localised peace talks, barangay welfare, creation of a Department of OFW, and improved benefits for senior citizens.