SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go expressed his gratitude to the Filipino people after securing a strong position in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey on voter preference for the 2025 senatorial elections. Ranking third-fourth place, Senator Go assured the public that he remains committed to serving the nation with even greater effort.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa patuloy na tiwala n’yo sa isang probinsyanong katulad ko at sa pagkakataon pong makapagserbisyo sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” Senator Go said in a video message, acknowledging the support he has received.
The senator emphasized that public service has become his passion, vowing to continue working for the welfare of all Filipinos.
“Patuloy po akong magseserbisyo sa abot ng aking makakaya. Dahil bisyo ko po ang magserbisyo sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino at naniniwala po ako na ang serbisyo sa tao, serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” he added.
Senator Go, who has been actively involved in various health and social welfare initiatives, reiterated his dedication to his mandate as a legislator. He assured the public that he would redouble his efforts in delivering essential services and addressing the needs of Filipinos.
“Sipag at serbisyo po ang puwede kong ialay sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino. Umasa po kayo na dodoblehin ko po ang aking pagtatrabaho dahil ‘yan naman po ang focus ko simula’t sapul, ang magserbisyo at magampanan ang ating mandato,” he said.
He also reminded the public that his office remains open to all, underscoring his accessibility to those in need of assistance.
“Ako po ang inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go, bukas po ang aking opisina para sa inyong lahat,” he assured.
Ending his message on a note of gratitude and faith, Senator Go thanked God for the opportunity to serve and reiterated his appreciation for the trust given to him by the public.
“Pasalamatan po natin ang ating Panginoon sa buhay na binigay n’ya sa atin at maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyong tiwala. Hinding hindi ko po sasayangin ang tiwalang binigay n’yo sa akin. Mas lalo ko pa pong sisipagan ang aking pagsi-serbisyo,” he concluded.
Senator Go’s legislative efforts over recent years have solidified his reputation as a public servant focused on bringing essential services closer to Filipinos. He has authored 16 laws and principally sponsored 82, including 80 for the establishment and upgrade of public hospitals. He has also co-authored or co-sponsored 185 laws.
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 (DOH).
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 Senator Go as vice chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, 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 the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) by pushing for a substantial increase in the benefit packages for the top ten mortality diseases; an 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 benefits, optometric services, and the like; and the scrapping of anti-poor policies, such as the 24-hour confinement rule and single-period confinement policy, among others.
Senator 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, Senator 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.
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, Senator Go 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 RA 12077, or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act; RA 11510, which institutionalizes the Alternative Learning System (ALS) to improve basic education delivery to underserved and disadvantaged students; RA 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; RA 12006, or the Free College Entrance Examinations Act, waiving entrance exam fees at private higher educational institutions for qualified top students; RA 11997, or the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, which increases the teaching supply allowances for public school teachers; and RA 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 Committee on Sports since 2019, Senator Go has also been instrumental in shaping the future of Philippine sports. During his tenure, sufficient support and focus on sports development have resulted in numerous feats, such as the country winning its first Olympic gold medal, 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 RA 11470, which established the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac.
Senator 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.
