Senator Christopher “Bong” Go
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, widely known as “Mr. Malasakit,” has unveiled a wide-ranging people-centered, service-oriented agenda as he filed his Certificate of Candidacy on Thursday, October 3, for his reelection bid in the upcoming 2025 senatorial elections.
Apart from what he has done in his first term as senator starting in 2019, Go plans to continue and strengthen further his advocacies on health, food security, jobs, education, youth and sports development.
“Hindi ko po sasayangin yung pagkakataon na ibinigay niyo sa akin. Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino. Iyan ang aking maiaalay sa inyo — ang kasipagan ko sa pagtatrabaho at pagtulong sa abot ng aking makakaya. Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbjsyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” he underscored.
(I will not waste the opportunity you have given me. I will work for the Filipino people. That is what I can offer you — my diligence in working and helping to the best of my ability. Serving others is my passion, and I believe that service to the people is service to God.)
Go’s legislative agenda highlights key priorities aimed at addressing some of the most pressing issues facing Filipinos today.
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On health
“Ang kalusugan ay katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he said. (Health is equivalent to the life of every Filipino.)
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As chair of the Senate health committee, Go has always prioritized expanding healthcare, particularly through the Malasakit Centers Act, which he principally authored and sponsored. This initiative streamlines access to medical assistance programs and has benefitted over 15 million Filipinos according to DOH data.
To bring health services closer to Filipinos, Go vowed to further pursue the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide and the implementation of Regional Specialty Centers Act he principally sponsored and authored.
Go highlighted the need to ensure that funds intended for health are utilized to protect the health and promote the well-being of Filipinos. Notably, Go has pushed for reforms in PhilHealth to expand its benefits, reduce premium contributions, increase case rates, provide free medicines, and update its policies such as scrapping the Single Period of Confinement Policy.
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.
Food security
Go also places a strong emphasis on food security and the agriculture sector. He advocates for sustained distribution of agricultural inputs, including drought-resistant seeds, fertilizers, and machinery, to enhance productivity.
The senator also calls for more scholarships for the children to encourage the next generations to remain engaged in agriculture.
Go’s agenda includes proposals for a national Farmers’ and Fishers’ Pension Fund, improved credit facilities with low-interest loans, and expanded crop insurance coverage to protect against crises such as natural calamities.
On employment of Filipinos
Go has proposed the institutionalization of a Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) which he has already filed in the Senate. The bill seeks to provide temporary employment to economically disadvantaged, displaced, or seasonal workers in rural areas.
Go also continues to advocate for wage increase and the enactment of the Salary Standardization Law 6 to provide salary increases for government employees.
In line with his advocacy for worker protection, Go also seeks to improve the rights and welfare of freelancers with his Freelance Workers Protection bill. Additionally, Go’s proposed Food, Grocery, and Pharmacy Delivery Services Protection Act ensures that delivery riders and drivers are protected from unfair practices.
READ: Bong Go files COC to become senator again via 2025 polls
Education
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.
An essential part of Go’s education agenda is the creation of Mental Health Offices in state universities and colleges as well as in the Basic and Secondary Education levels to provide comprehensive mental health services to students.
Go is also pushing for the introduction of Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship Subjects in schools, and supports the review of the Continuing Professional Development Law.
Youth agenda
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.
He proposes the institutionalization of programs that can support youth organizations in pursuing worthwhile projects related to nation-building, create opportunities for the youth to participate and be represented in various levels of governance, and provide platforms for the younger generation to excel in their chosen fields.
Sports
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. Additionally, Go principally sponsored and authored the proposed Philippine National Games (PNG) Act which aims to institutionalize a national mini-Olympics to provide aspiring athletes a platform to excel.
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.
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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.”
