Baguio lawmaker shrugs off Magalong’s tirades against gov’t aid

BAGUIO CITY (January 9, 2025) -- Baguio City lawmaker Mark O. Go urged Baguio Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong to adopt a supportive stance should the representative manage to secure financial assistance funding from government agencies for Baguio residents.

Go also urged Magalong “not to politicize aid” at the heels of Magalong’s tirades against the use of government aid by the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, supposedly facilitating the disbursement of government financial assistance from programs such as Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).

Magalong earlier exposed the supposed “7-7-7 Ayuda System”, which was belied by Go, “hindi totoo ang sinasabi niyang ‘seven-seven-seven.’  AKAP, AICS, and TUPAD are national government programs of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. with well-defined processes and oversight mechanism.”

Rep. Go further added, “ginagawa po natin ang ating trabaho para masiguradong may budget ang mga national programs para sa Baguio. Dapat supportive at nakikipag tulungan siya kapag naipaglalaban natin ang budget para sa Baguio City dahil tumutulong ito na guminhawa ang buhay ng mga higit na nangangailangan.”

Go also went on to compare, “ang city government ay may social funds rin at alam ko na ginagamit niya rin ito para sa mga taga-Baguio. Supportive tayo dito.”

The Baguio lawmaker further explained, “our role is limited in facilitating these government assistance programs, which are implemented strictly in accordance with the law and existing guidelines. Every peso is accounted for and used solely to benefit those in need.”

Go also went on to defend himself, “these funds (i.e aid) are not tied to any individual or office but are directly allocated to support our fellow Filipinos in need.”

Go and Magalong are both running for Baguio City’s mayoralty race.