Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go personally attended the 59th Joint Induction and Turnover Ceremony of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) Davao del Norte Medical Practitioners Society, Inc. and the Davao de Oro Medical Society as Guest of Honor on Tuesday, June 23, in Tagum City.
“Congratulations po sa lahat ng opisyal. Alam nyo, malapit po sa aking puso ang mga medical practitioners. Maraming pong nagpapasalamat sa akin sa mga programa, sa mga tulong. Sabi ko, huwag kayo magpasalamat sa akin. Ako po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo. Dahil binigyan nyo po ako ng pangalawang pagkakataon na maging senador po ulit ng bansang ito,” Go, health reforms crusader, said.
“Magulo yung politika ngayon, makikita nyo naman po na noong isang buwan nandito po kami; ako chairman sa health. Tapos naging vice chairperson na lang. Six years po ako chairman ng (Senate) Committee on Health since 2019 up to 2025. ‘Yan naman po aking advocacy. Dahil naniniwala po ko na ang kalusugan ng Pilipino ay katumbas po ‘yan ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino at parating ko po ‘yan pinaglalaban ngayon,” he added.
Recognizing the demands of the medical profession, the senator emphasized that the work of healthcare workers extends far beyond clinic and hospital walls.
“We all know that the medical profession is never easy. Your work does not end when clinic hours are over. Compassion does not stop when duty ends. Service cannot be measured only by the number of patients seen in a day,” he stated.
The senator also highlighted his advocacy for the welfare of healthcare workers, particularly his push for the release of the Health Emergency Allowance (HEA). The HEA, mandated under Republic Act No. 11712, or the Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances for Health Care Workers Act, which Go is one of the authors and co-sponsors, provides financial compensation to healthcare workers in both public and private sectors who served during a public health emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
To recall, Senator Go has presided 14 Senate Health Committee hearings since 2024, during which he asked the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to find ways to settle the pending HEAs due to health workers.
“Services rendered po yun, pinaghirapan ang mga health workers yun. Kayo po yung naghihirap ng panahon ng pandemya, nagsakripisyo. Ang iba namatay noong panahon ng pandemya,” he shared.
Furthermore, as Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Go also emphasized the importance of providing sustained government support to improve healthcare accessibility and affordability.
Go first pointed to RA 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which he is the principal author and sponsor, are institutionalized one-stop shops in public hospitals where patients can access financial assistance from various government agencies. In Davao Del Norte, a Malasakit Center is located at Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City. Four Davao de Oro Provincial Hospitals are also located at Montevista, Maragusan, Laak, and Pantukan.
Expanding on his healthcare agenda, Go noted that through the combined efforts of Congress, the DOH, and local government units, funding has been provided for the establishment of more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide. These facilities are designed to bring primary healthcare services closer to communities, particularly in underserved areas.
He likewise highlighted RA 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which he principally sponsored and co-authored. The law mandates the establishment of specialty centers in existing DOH regional hospitals to provide advanced medical services outside Metro Manila and reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for specialized treatment.
During the event, Go acknowledged the officers of the PMA Davao del Norte Medical Practitioners Society such as Outgoing President Dr. Susana Ramos, Incoming President Dr. Chiara Mae Lascuña, Vice President Dr. Russlin Huerta, Secretary Dr. Dexie Cirunay, Treasurer Dr. Maria Aidee Jill Tolentino, Auditor Dr. Evelyn Ross Perdido, and Public Information Officer Continuing Medical Education Chair Dr. Chrysteler Clet, among others.
As a gesture of appreciation, Go and his team distributed shirts and pens to the participants.
Addressing the newly inducted officers, Go underscored the importance of servant leadership within the medical profession.
“To the new officers who will take their oath today, may you carry the trust of your colleagues with humility, fairness, and accountability. Leadership in the medical profession is not only about position. It is about listening to your members, protecting the dignity of your profession, and making sure that service to patients remains at the center of every decision,” he said.
The senator reiterated that healthcare remains among his top priorities in public service.
“Pirmi nga prayoridad ang panglawas tungod kay kung adunay masakit sa pamilya, dili lang ang lawas ang maapektuhan. Maapektuhan sab ang pinansyal nga kahimtang, emosyon, trabaho, ug ang tibuok panimalay. Mao nga ang mga programa sa panglawas kinahanglan praktikal, paspas maabot, ug mabati sa ordinaryong Pilipino,” Go stressed.
(Laging prayoridad ang kalusugan dahil kapag may nagkakasakit sa pamilya, hindi lang katawan ang naaapektuhan. Apektado rin ang bulsa, emosyon, trabaho, at buong tahanan. Kaya dapat ang mga programa sa kalusugan ay praktikal, madaling lapitan, at ramdam ng ordinaryong Pilipino.)
Before concluding his message, he shared a reminder that has long guided his public service.
“Ako ang inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go, patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po yan sa Diyos. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa ay gawin na natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” Go said.
