BONG GO PARTNERS WITH VICE GOVERNORS IN BRINGING SERVICES CLOSER TO FILIPINOS DURING THE LVGP NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Following his visit to Pangasinan and joining the Bicameral Conference Committee on the General Appropriations Bill earlier that day, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go graced the 98th National Assembly and Fellowship of the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines (LVGP), held at the Peninsula Manila in Makati City on Thursday, November 28, to acknowledge and commend the unwavering dedication of vice governors from across the country.

Among the distinguished LVGP officers present were National President Vice Governor Atty. Karen Agapay of Laguna, National Chairman of the Board Vice Governor Atty. Reynaldo Quimpo of Aklan, National Executive Vice President Vice Governor Cecilia Marcos of Ilocos Norte, Vice President for Luzon Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino of Pangasinan, and Vice President for Mindanao Vice Governor Elmer De Peralta of Sarangani.

In his speech, Senator Go expressed his deep appreciation for the vice governors’ hard work and sacrifices in serving their respective provinces.

“Ang inyong papel bilang mga Vice Governors ay napakahalaga sa pagpapatakbo ng ating mga lokal na pamahalaan at sa pagsisiguro ng maayos na serbisyo para sa ating mga kababayan,” he said, emphasizing their pivotal contributions to effective local governance.

Highlighting the shared purpose of public service, Senator Go reminded the audience of the essence of genuine leadership. “Ang liderato ay hindi lamang tungkol sa posisyon o titulo, kundi tungkol sa kakayahang maglingkod nang may puso at malasakit,” he said.

He further emphasized, “Bagamat magkakaiba ang ating mga titulong hawak—ako bilang Senador at kayo bilang mga Vice Governors—tayo ay pinag-iisa ng iisang layunin: ang maglingkod para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan. Pareho tayo ng bisyo—ang magserbisyo,” he affirmed.

The senator also reiterated his commitment to advancing legislative measures that empower local government units (LGUs) and improve public services. Among the bills he is championing are the Magna Carta for Barangays and the Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers. “Layunin nating masiguro na ang bawat barangay ay may sapat na suporta para sa kanilang responsibilidad na magbigay ng serbisyo,” Senator Go stated.

SBN 197 aims to institutionalize a Magna Carta for Barangays. The proposed legislation would officially recognize barangay officials as regular government employees, providing them with better compensation, hazard pay, and benefits. Furthermore, he shared about SBN 427, which proposes incentives and job security for barangay health workers, underscoring his support for grassroots healthcare.

He also highlighted the importance of Senate Bill 2451, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Bill, which aims to establish mandatory evacuation centers nationwide to ensure the safety of communities during disasters. Go is the principal author and one of the co-sponsors of SBN 2451 and was already approved on the third and final reading in the Senate.

The senator also highlighted the transformative potential of SBN 2781, also known as the E-Governance Bill. The proposed legislation aims to modernize government operations through digital means, allowing services to be more accessible, transparent, and efficient.

The assembly served as an opportunity for Senator Go to call for unity and collaboration among public servants. “Magtulungan tayo upang makamit natin ang isang mas maunlad at mas makataong lipunan para sa lahat ng Pilipino,” he urged the 44 vice governors in attendance who also received gift packs from the Senator.

As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go strengthened his partnerships with local governments through their Vice Governors in enhancing the country’s healthcare infrastructure and accessibility especially in the grassroots.

He underscored the significance of the three health programs he prioritizes: the continuing operations of the Malasakit Centers, the establishment of more Super Health Centers, and the enactment of the Regional Specialty Centers Law.

The senator highlighted the Malasakit Centers program, designed to streamline access to medical assistance from various government agencies in one location, making it easier for Filipinos to avail themselves of healthcare services. This initiative by Go in 2018, has been pivotal in reducing the bureaucratic hurdles that often impede access to essential healthcare services.

“Ang Malasakit Center po is a one-stop shop. Nasa loob na po ng hospital yung apat na ahensya ng gobyerno – PhilHealth, PCSO, DOH, at DSWD. At mayroon na ho tayong 166 na Malasakit Center. More than 15 million Filipinos na po ang nakinabang dito,” shared Go, principal sponsor and author of Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

Expanding the healthcare infrastructure further, Senator Go stressed the concerted efforts of the Department of Health, LGUs and fellow legislators in funding more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide. These centers will bring primary care, consultations, and early disease detection closer to communities, significantly enhancing the quality and reach of healthcare services in underserved areas.

“Marami pong mga Super Health Center na itatayo. And I’m sure marami na po sa inyo dahil ngayon taon may karagdagang about one hundred plus na Super Health Center pa na itatayo at ‘yan po ang isang pamamaraan na ilapit natin ang serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.

Furthermore, the senator emphasized the importance of Republic Act No. 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate. These centers aim to provide specialized medical services unavailable or inaccessible in many regions, ensuring that advanced healthcare is more evenly distributed nationwide.

Likewise, Go has also championed the welfare of public servants. He filed Senate Bill No. 2504, aimed at increasing the salary of civilian personnel in the Philippine government. If enacted into law, the bill, known as “Salary Standardization Law VI,” seeks to amend and improve the provisions outlined in RA 11466 or the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) 5. In 2019, Go played a key role in the passage of SSL 5 as one of its authors and co-sponsors in the Senate.

Even without the passage of the proposed new law, Go has welcomed the recent Executive Order No. 64 issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which mandates an increase in salaries and the provision of additional allowances for government workers.

“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” underscored Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.