SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go reaffirmed his support for the Liga ng mga Barangay (LNB) Negros Occidental Chapter during their recent LNB Provincial Congress 2025, held at La Carmela de Boracay in Aklan, on Monday, February 24.
The event, attended by 580 barangay leaders, carried the theme, “Empowering Barangay Leaders – Community’s Utmost Strength for the Nation’s Progress.” It underscored the vital role of barangay leaders as key partners in delivering effective governance and public service to their communities.
In his message, Senator Go emphasized the role of barangay leaders in the grassroots leadership, fostering development and addressing the needs of the people. “Alam po natin na ang barangay ay ang pangunahing yunit ng ating gobyerno—ito ang unang nilalapitan ng ating mga kababayan tuwing may problema o pangangailangan,” he said.
He also acknowledged the challenges barangay officials face in fulfilling their duties. “Alam ko rin na hindi madali ang inyong trabaho. Maraming sakripisyo, maraming oras ang inilalaan sa serbisyo, at madalas ay inuuna pa ang kapakanan ng iba bago ang sarili,” he added.
A long-time advocate for the welfare of barangay officials and local government units, Go reiterated his commitment to advancing legislation that strengthens their roles. Among his initiatives is Senate Bill No. 197, or the Magna Carta for Barangays, which aims to provide barangay officials with benefits equivalent to those of regular government employees.
Go also filed SBN 2802, a measure proposing to extend the term of office for Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to four years.
He reaffirmed his continued dedication in public service if given a fresh mandate, saying, “Kung ako po ay muling pagkakatiwalaan ng ating mga kababayan sa darating na halalan, ipagpapatuloy ko ang aking suporta sa ating mga barangay officials. Mas paiigtingin pa natin ang mga programang magpapalakas sa inyong kakayahan bilang mga lider, lalo na sa maliliit na pamayanan at sa mga nangangailangan. Patuloy tayong magtutulungan para maihatid ang serbisyong dapat matanggap ng bawat Pilipino,” Go remarked.
Senator Go acknowledged his fellow public servants for their dedication, including Negros Occidental LNB officers led by LNB President Richard Julius Sablan, LNB Secretary Henry Alcorin, LNB Auditor Jerome Agustin, and LNB Treasurer Marlon Malacon.
“Nais ko pong iparating ang aking pinakamataas na respeto at pasasalamat sa bawat isa sa inyo. Hindi man pareho ang inyong mga titulo—kapitan, kagawad, SK, secretary, o treasurer—iisa lamang ang ating layunin: ang pagsisilbi sa ating mga kababayan,” he expressed.
Amid the Mt. Kanlaon unrest in Negros Island, Senator Go also mentioned that he is the principal author and co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 12076, also known as the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which mandates the construction of permanent, safe, and well-equipped evacuation centers nationwide.
“Sino po ‘yung mga biktima ng Kanlaon? Kumusta kayo doon? Gusto ko lang po i-share na ako ang principal author at co-sponsor ng Ligtas Pinoy Centers Bill (Act). Wala pong komportableng evacuation ang ating mga kababayan tuwing may sunog, lindol, putok ng bulkan. Ngayon po, ako po’y isa sa unang nagsulong ng batas na ‘yan upang mabigyan ng maayos na evacuation centers ang ating kababayan,” he cited.
As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, he encouraged residents of Negros Occidental to utilize the Malasakit Center at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City for accessible healthcare. He noted that since their inception in 2018, Malasakit Centers have assisted over 17 million Filipinos according to DOH.
The Malasakit Centers program, through RA 11463, principally authored and sponsored by Go, streamlines access to various medical assistance programs by consolidating them in Department of Health-run hospitals, reducing the burden on patients seeking financial aid for medical expenses. Currently, 167 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, providing crucial healthcare support.
Go also reiterated his vision of establishing more Super Health Centers nationwide to ensure accessible and efficient healthcare services at the barangay level.
Through his collaboration with fellow lawmakers, the DOH, under Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and local government units, funding has been allocated for the construction of over 700 Super Health Centers, including 31 in Negros Occidental.
Additionally, as Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go played a significant role in expanding the bed capacity of Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City from 100 to 300 beds through RA 11890, of which he is the principal sponsor. He is also the principal sponsor of RA 11564, a law Establishing a General Hospital in the City of Bacolod, Province of Negros Occidental, to be known as the Bacolod City General Hospital and RA 12070 a law Establishing The City of Victorias, Province of Negros Occidental, a General Hospital to be known as the Victorias City General Hospital.
As he concluded, Senator Go reaffirmed his unwavering support for barangay leaders. “Ako, bilang inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go, ay 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.”
