BASKETBALL in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan, found a passionate ally this year in Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports. In partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Go facilitated financial and logistical support to local student-athletes, highlighting his ongoing commitment to developing grassroots sports programs across the country.
Among the beneficiaries were student-athletes from Sto. Rosario Sapang Palay College Inc., who participated in various basketball competitions throughout 2024. They expressed gratitude for the support extended by the PSC and Go, enabling their athletes to compete at higher levels.
“We would like to thank the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for providing support and assistance to our Sto. Rosario Sapang Palay College Inc. student-athletes during their competitions this year, 2024! Especially to Senator Bong Go! Thank you for having our back this year. Our athletes, coaches, and school are grateful for your support,” read a heartfelt post on the school’s official basketball Facebook page.
For Go, this effort underscores a broader vision for sports development in the Philippines.
“As I always remind our youth, get into sports, stay away from illegal drugs to keep us healthy and fit!” he said, emphasizing the role of athletics in fostering discipline and steering young people away from societal vices.
The senator, a staunch advocate of holistic youth development, has consistently emphasized the importance of grassroots sports. Go played a key role in creating the National Academy of Sports (NAS) by authoring and co-sponsoring Republic Act No. 11470. Located in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, NAS combines secondary education with a sports-focused curriculum, offering a dual path for student-athletes to excel in their sports and academic endeavors.
In addition to his efforts with NAS, Go principally sponsored and is one of the authors of Senate Bill No. 2514, the proposed Philippine National Games (PNG) Act. The Bicameral Conference Committee Report of this bill was ratified by the Senate on September 23. It seeks to institutionalize a structured national sports program that not only promotes grassroots sports but also provides opportunities for aspiring athletes to compete at the national level.
While the athletes of Sto. Rosario Sapang Palay College Inc. have reaped the benefits of this initiative, and the impact of such efforts extends far beyond basketball courts and school grounds. By providing tangible support, Go and the PSC have invigorated the spirit of sportsmanship in Bulacan and inspired a new generation of Filipino athletes to aim higher.
“Sports teach resilience, teamwork, and determination—qualities that shape not just players but also communities,” Go remarked.
As the year draws to a close, the student-athletes of San Jose del Monte City stand as a testament to what is possible when public service meets the needs of local communities. For Go, it’s one more step toward a vision of a healthier, more active, and united Philippines.
