Sen. Bong Go vows to focus on bringing healthcare, pro-poor development programs closer to Filipinos

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go will continue serving as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, the Senate Committee on Sports, and the Senate Committee on Youth as the 20th Congress opens, reaffirming his long-standing legislative priorities in these sectors and the trust given to him by his fellow legislators and the people.

This continuity in leadership reflects his steadfast commitment to delivering accessible healthcare, fostering education and youth development, promoting grassroots sports, and advancing social justice through pro-poor legislation.

By July 17, Go had already filed forty-two major legislative measures that collectively form a comprehensive roadmap for national development.

In the area of health and social services, Go is championing measures designed to institutionalize structural reforms and expand essential programs. Among these are SBN 170, which seeks to institutionalize a PhilHealth ID health card to streamline access to benefits; SBN 172, calling for the modernization of the Medical Technology Law; SBN 169, which proposes the expansion of the Tertiary Education Subsidy to cover students enrolled in allied health programs.

Recognizing the importance of mental health, Go has filed SBN 176 to create mental health offices in state universities and colleges; SBN 411 to establish a Philippine Geriatric Center for senior citizens. His push to empower frontline health workers is embodied in SBN 412, the Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers.

He is likewise advocating for stronger institutional support through SBN 414, institutionalizing the OFW Hospital; SBN 665, establishing drug rehabilitation and treatment centers in every region; SBN 683, creating a simplified admission process for drug rehabilitation; SBN 686, banning online gambling to address social and public health concerns.

Go’s commitment to education and youth development is equally reflected in his legislative work. He has filed SBN 672 to integrate financial literacy and entrepreneurship education into the curriculum; SBN 679 to create a sustainable financing program for micro and small enterprises to benefit young entrepreneurs.

He also seeks to extend greater support to the children of fallen uniformed personnel through SBN 684, which grants educational scholarships to qualified beneficiaries; SBN 667 strengthens protections and welfare benefits for media and entertainment workers, recognizing their cultural and economic contributions.

As an advocate for Sports, Go is also pushing for measures that will institutionalize sports excellence from grassroots to elite levels. These include SBN 171 to regionalize the National Academy of Sports; SBN 413 for the full institutionalization of the Philippine National Games; SBN 407 to enhance benefits for para-athletes; SBN 678 to establish the National Tertiary Games as a key training and competition platform for young athletes.

Go’s labor, livelihood, and agricultural measures aim to uplift workers and farmers alike. SBN 670 focuses on protecting freelance workers; SBN 673 seeks to provide crop insurance; SBN 681 extends fertilizer subsidies; SBN 680 mandates the establishment of post-harvest facilities in every municipality, aimed at reducing wastage and increasing income for farmers.

His anti-illegal gambling proposal under SBN 686 also ties into his vision of protecting vulnerable communities from exploitative activities that harm economic productivity.

He has also refiled SBN 173, his priority proposal to establish a Department of Disaster Resilience to better prepare for and respond to calamities; SBN 174 for a National Indigent Jobseekers Assistance Program; SBN 177 for a Rural Employment Assistance Program modeled after the existing TUPAD program; SBN 175 proposing a ₱100 across-the-board wage hike for minimum wage earners.

For Go, these measures are the culmination of years spent directly engaging with Filipinos in their communities. “Ako po ay patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyo bilang Kuya Bong Go, hindi lamang dito sa Senado kundi pati sa inyong mga komunidad. Lahat ng mga panukalang ito ay bunga ng ating pakikinig sa inyong mga hinaing at pangangailangan,” he explained.

“Sama-sama nating ilapit ang serbisyo sa kapwa Pilipino lalo na sa mga mahihirap,” he added. 

His approach, he stressed, remains grounded in his belief that public service is a moral calling. “Minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na puwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa, gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito. Ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo po sa tao ay serbisyo po iyan sa Diyos,” Go reflected.