In photo (left to right) Sen. JV Ejercito, Lupon, Davao Oriental Vice Mayor Clarence Go with his father Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go.
Bong Go joins 58th Araw ng Davao Oriental
* Vows to push for Mindanao development
* Will bring services closer to Davao Oriental
Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go joined the vibrant celebration of the 58th Araw ng Davao Oriental on Tuesday, July 1, at Davao Oriental Provincial Capitol Gym in Mati City, where he expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people of the province for their continued support and trust.
The senator particularly thanked his fellow residents of Davao Oriental and the rest of the Davao region for placing him at the top of the senatorial race during the recent elections.
“Una sa lahat, binabati ko po ang kapwa kong Dabawenyo dito sa Davao Oriental ng Happy 58th Araw ng Davao Oriental. Dako kaayo ni nga okasyon nga nagpakita sa inyong panaghiusa, kakugi, ug gugma sa inyong lugar,” Go said in his speech.
“Isang makasaysayang okasyon na sumasalamin sa tatag, sipag, at pagkakaisa ng inyong mga mamamayan.
“Maraming salamat sa pagtitiwala ninyo sa akin. Patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat. Sisikapin ko na makapagserbisyo, sisikapin ko na makatulong para dito sa Davao Oriental lalo na yung mga mahihirap nating mga kababayan. Ilapit natin yung serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.
In his speech, Go, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, also mentioned his support for the Mati City airport project as one of the priority projects for the development of Davao Oriental. “Of course itong Mati Airport, magtulungan tayo para umunlad pa ang turismo. Malaki ang potential nitong Davao Oriental.”
Acknowledging Senator JV Ejercito who was also at the event, Go emphasized the importance of cooperation among lawmakers and other branches of government for the completion of ambitious but necessary infrastructure projects.
Aside from the Mati City airport, Go also supported various infrastructure development projects to boost the tourism of Davao Oriental such as the construction of the Sumlog Parallel Bridge in Lupon, the construction of Multi-Purpose Buildings in Banaybanay, rehabilitation of road projects in Baganga, flood mitigation structure in Caraga, and Municipal Slaughterhouse construction in San Isidro, among others.
During the celebration, Senator Go also attended the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected officials of the province such as Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, Vice Governor Ma. Glenda Monette Rabat-Gayta, 1st District Congressman Nelson Dayanghirang Jr., and 2nd District Congressman Cheeno Miguel Almario.
Other mayors, vice mayors, and councilors of Davao Oriental also had their oath-taking including Go’s son, Lupon Vice Mayor Christian “Chrence” Go.
The senator commended the unified leadership of Davao Oriental officials present during the event for helping bring services closer to its people.
Go emphasized to prioritize those in need and thanking the people of Davao Oriental for their continued trust and support to his family. Addressing his son, Vice Mayor Chrence Go, he urged: “Naa lang ko’y hangyo sa imo, ‘nak. Along with Mayor Angel Go, unaha lang og tabang ang mga pobre, yung mga walay lain kadangpan kundi tayong naa sa gobyerno.”
(“May hiling lang ako sa’yo, anak. Kasama si Mayor Angel, unahin niyo ang pagtulong sa mahihirap, sa mga walang ibang malalapitan kundi ang gobyerno.”)
As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go reiterated his unwavering commitment to improving the healthcare system across the country. He highlighted the continued operation of Malasakit Centers, Super Health Centers, and Regional Specialty Centers in the Davao Region.
To date, the Davao Region is home to six Malasakit Centers, including one in Davao Oriental, located at the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center in Mati City.
Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops aimed at helping impoverished patients reduce hospital costs to the least possible amount. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the program.
Currently, 167 Malasakit Centers have been established nationwide, collectively assisting over 17 million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health.
He also noted that Super Health Centers are already operational in the province. This is part of a broader initiative to establish over 700 Super Health Centers nationwide, with 16 located in Davao Oriental.
These primary care hubs aim to decongest hospitals by providing essential medical services closer to communities. The DOH, under the leadership of Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, is tasked with identifying strategic sites for these facilities.
Additionally, Go underscored the significance of Regional Specialty Centers, as mandated under RA 11959, which he co-authored and principally sponsored. The law aims to regionalize access to specialized healthcare by establishing specialty centers within existing DOH regional hospitals, reducing the need for patients to travel to Metro Manila for treatment.
“Yan ang patuloy kong ipinagmamalaki, ang mga programang makakatulong sa ating mga kababayan. Ilapit natin ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa kapwa nating Pilipino — lalo na ang mga mahihirap,” he said.
Go shared how former President Rodrigo Duterte’s simple advice continues to guide his public service. “Kaya tayo nandito… lagi kong tinatandaan ang paalala sa akin ni former President (Rodrigo) Duterte. Hindi po siya (nakikialam) sa aking (trabaho bilang senador) ever since. Hindi niya ako tinawagan na ganito ang gawin. ‘Nung tinanong ko siya noong 2019 kung ano ang maipapayo niya sa akin, ang sinabi niya sa akin, ‘Just do what is right.’”
He cited Duterte’s most important advice “Unahin mo ang interes ng bayan, unahin mo ang interes ng bawat Pilipino, hinding-hindi ka magkakamali..”
He concluded his speech by reaffirming his unwavering dedication to championing programs that uplift the lives of Filipinos, especially those in Mindanao, and to ensuring that the benefits of government services reach the grassroots.
“Ang tagumpay ng Davao Oriental ay tagumpay ng buong Mindanao at ng buong bansa. Kaya naman, ipagpatuloy po natin ang pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan. Muli, congratulations sa inyong 58th Araw ng Davao Oriental!” he ended.
Earlier in the day, Go also extended aid to 44 fire victims in Barangay 773, San Andres Bukid, Manila, underscoring his commitment to swiftly respond to the needs of Filipinos in crisis. Senator Go also supported local vendors in Manila as well as in Mati City, reflecting his consistent advocacy for supporting small businesses to boost the local economy.
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