BAGUIO CITY – The heat is on for the upcoming May 12, 2025 mid-term elections.
Rep. Mark Go asked the Mayor not to politicize the distribution of “ayuda” or government aid as the same is for a good cause and not for any other purpose being insinuated.
Go had this to say in reaction to Magalong’s claim that House of Representatives members enjoyed a “7-7-7 scheme” whenever they join the government’s financial assistance programs.
The mayor claimed that the Office of the House Speaker was supposedly facilitating the disbursement of government aid programs such as the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).
“Hindi totoo ang sinasabi niyang ‘7-7-7’ (The 7-7-7 scheme that he’s saying isn’t true), AKAP, AICS, and TUPAD are national government programs of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. with well-defined processes and oversight mechanisms,” said Go.
“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,” he said of the mayor. (We’re doing our job to ensure that the conduct of national programs in Baguio have a budget. He should be supportive and cooperative wherever we attain funds for Baguio City because it helps gives respite to those who need it most.)
In his recent statement, the local chief executive accused House members of receiving P7 million each whenever they join “sorties” for the purpose of distributing aid under either AKAP, AICS, or TUPAD.
He said that a congressman could theoretically get a total of P21 million if he or she participates in all three programs, ergo the 7-7-7 scheme.
“Ang city government ay may social funds rin at alam ko na ginagamit niya rin ito para sa mga taga-Baguio. Supportive tayo dito,” Go said, again referring to Magalong. (The city government also has social funds and I know that he also used this for Baguio residents. We are supportive of this.)
“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,” he said.
“These funds are not tied to any individual or office but are directly allocated to support our fellow Filipinos in need,” the congressman concluded.
Go, who is on his third term as the city’s representative to the House, will be going up against Magalong in the city’s mayoralty race for the May 2025 mid-term elections.
