Mr. Malasakit: Bisyo ay more serbisyo’ — Bong Go remains among top senatorial contenders in latest SWS survey
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continues to strengthen his standing in the 2025 senatorial race, ranking 3rd to 4th in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released on January 28.
Despite this, Senator Go clarified that while he is grateful for the continued trust and support, his focus remains on fulfilling his mandate and serving the people to the best of his abilities.
“Para sa akin, ang pinakamahalaga ay mapaglingkuran ko nang tapat ang ating mga kababayan. Ang inyong tiwala at suporta ang nagbibigay sa akin ng inspirasyon na ipagpatuloy ang aking serbisyo sa abot ng aking makakaya,” Senator Go said.
“Hindi ako pulitiko na nangangako. Gagawin ko lang ang trabaho ko para sa mga Pilipino. Isa sa maiaalay ko ay ang aking kasipagan dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo,” he added.
Senator Go’s legislative efforts over recent years have solidified his reputation as a public servant focused on bringing essential services closer to Filipinos.
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Senator Go continues to push for legislation that improves access to healthcare services, particularly for indigent and underserved communities.
He is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized Malasakit Centers nationwide. These one-stop shops bring together concerned agencies to streamline access to medical assistance programs particularly for indigent patients. Currently, 166 Malasakit Centers operate across the country, having assisted over 15 million Filipinos according to data from the Department of Health.
Senator Go also pushed for the continued establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide, designed to decongest hospitals by offering primary healthcare, consultations, and early detection services at the community-level. So far, over 600 Super Health Centers have been funded through the collaborative efforts of Go as Vice Chair of the Senate Finance committee, the DOH, local government units, and fellow lawmakers.
Additionally, Senator Go principally sponsored and is one of the authors of Republic Act No. 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which brings specialized medical care to all regions by establishing specialty centers in every DOH-run regional hospital.
Recently, Senator Go has also advocated for reforms in PhilHealth by pushing for a substantial increase in the benefit packages for the top ten mortality diseases; increase in case rates by up to 50% across-the-board; expansion of benefit packages, such as dental benefits, preventive and emergency care, outpatient drug benefits, mental health benefit, optometric services, and the likes; scrapping of anti-poor policies, such as the 24-hour confinement rule and single period of confinement policy; among others.
Go also calls for the creation of a Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the establishment of a Virology Science and Technology Institute, as well as efforts to ensure the welfare of health workers.
On the education front, Go acknowledges the success of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act signed during the Duterte administration but aims to expand the coverage of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) to reach more students.
“Edukasyon ang susi sa mas magandang kinabukasan para sa ating kabataan na pag-asa at future leaders ng ating bayan,” he said.
Go, as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, firmly believes that efforts must continuously be pursued to empower the younger generation, encourage their participation in nation-building, and mold them into productive citizens.
Senator Go earlier co-authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 12077, or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act; Republic Act No. 11510, which institutionalizes the Alternative Learning System (ALS) to improve basic education delivery to underserved and disadvantaged students; Republic Act No. 11984, or the “No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act,” which prohibits educational institutions from denying students the right to take exams due to unpaid fees; Republic Act No. 12006, or the “Free College Entrance Examinations Act,” waiving entrance exam fees at private higher educational institutions for qualified top students; Republic Act No. 11997, or the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act,” which increases the teaching supply allowances for public school teachers; and Republic Act No. 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which aims to address the alarming mental health crisis among Filipino students.
As Chairperson of the Senate Sports Committee since 2019, Go has also been instrumental in shaping the future of Philippine sports. During his tenure, sufficient support and focus on sports development has resulted in numerous feats such as the country winning its first Olympic Gold medals, hosting the Southeast Asian Games in 2019, as well as other commendable performances by Filipino athletes in international competitions.
He also authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11470, which established the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac.
Go has also continuously pushed for an increased budget for sports programs to significantly improve Filipino athletes’ preparation, training, and competitive performance while launching effective programs to cultivate the talents of young and aspiring sports enthusiasts at the grassroots level.
“As I always remind our youth, get into sports, stay away from illegal drugs to keep us healthy and fit!” he said earlier.
Reflecting on his philosophy of public service, Go shared, “Noong ako’y nagseserbisyo kasama si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, palagi kong naririnig na sinasabi n’ya, ‘Just do what is right.’ At ‘yan ang patuloy kong sinusunod. Gawin lang ang tama, unahin ang kapakanan ng mga mahihirap, at hinding hindi ka magkakamali.”
“Minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede po natin gawin sa ating kapwa, gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito. ‘Yan po ang totoo,” Senator Go has said.
With all these, Go reaffirmed his commitment to his compassionate brand of public service, particularly in health, agriculture, employment, housing, education, youth and sports.
“Ako po ang inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go, bukas ang aking opisina para sa inyong lahat. Ako po’y patuloy na magtatrabaho at magseserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil ako po’y naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po yan sa Panginoon,” he said.
“Pasalamatan natin ang Panginoon sa buhay na binigay niya sa atin. At maraming salamat rin po sa pagkakataon na ibinigay ninyo sa akin na makapagserbisyo sa inyo,” he ended. ###
