"You are superstars in your own rights": Senator Bong Go engages with Iloilo councilors in bringing services closer to the people

During the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) Iloilo Term End Assembly on Wednesday, May 28, in the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go applauded the local legislators for extending beyond crafting laws and taking more hands-on approach to serving their constituents, especially those in need.

"Mataas po ang aking respeto sa ating mga konsehal kasi you are superstars in your own rights. Pareho po tayo ng trabaho. Sa amin lang, national lang ang aming scope. Ako naman, sinabi ko, I will not limit myself just by being a legislature. Ang trabaho ko ay to represent ang buong Pilipinas at ito pong oversight function. Hindi ko po matiis na nakaupo lang ako sa opisina habang 'yung mga kababayan natin ay nangangailangan ng tulong," said Senator Go.

Go, who was number four in Iloilo Province during the recently concluded midterms senatorial election, thanked the Ilonggos for their support.

"Number 4 pala ako dito sa Iloilo. Maraming salamat po. Hinding-hindi po ako magiging number one sa buong Pilipinas kung hindi po dahil sa inyong suporta," Go stated.

Senator Go recognized the councilors from the Province of Iloilo for their dedication to public service and acknowledged the government's continuing efforts to improve healthcare access in the province.

"Salamat sa mga konsehal natin from Iloilo. Parati po ako doon sa Iloilo at ito po yung lugar na mas marami akong napuntahan," he said.

A member of the Senate Committee on Local Government, Senator Go, who has consistently championed the welfare of barangay officials and LGUs, reiterated his commitment to advancing legislation that supports their roles. He shared that he understands their work having spent around 20 years of his career in local government serving former President and then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Among his other initiatives is filing Senate Bill No. 197 (Magna Carta for Barangays), which aims to provide barangay officials with benefits equivalent to those of regular government employees if enacted into law.

On February 3, the Senate also approved on third and final reading of SBN 2838, or the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), a measure that seeks to institutionalize compensation and benefits for the country's community health volunteers. As one of the authors and co-sponsors of the bill, Go emphasized the vital role of BHWs in delivering primary healthcare services, especially in underserved communities.

Meanwhile, Go also filed SBN 2504, aimed at increasing the salaries of civilian personnel in the Philippine government. The proposed measure, also known as the "Salary Standardization Law VI," seeks to build upon the provisions of the previously enacted RA 11466 or the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) 5 which Go served as one of its authors and co-sponsors in the Senate in 2019.

Go then acknowledged the provincial government officials of Iloilo including Governor Toto Defensor and Vice Governor-elect Lee Ann Debuque. He also mentioned the Iloilo Chapter Officials such as Santa Barbara Vice Mayor-elect Board Member Ramon Sullano - President, Conception Councilor John Arcosa - Vice President, Guimbal Councilor Christy Margarico - Secretary General, Dumangas Councilor Guisseppe Gumban - Treasurer, and San Dionisio Councilor Christian Lopez - Auditor, among others.

Senator Go also recognized New Lucena Mayor-elect Carl Mondejar and Ajuy Mayor-elect Loida Espinosa.

Senator Go's remarks reinforced his advocacy for proactive governance and accessible healthcare, urging local officials to ensure that government programs reach those who need them the most.

Go also mentioned the Malasakit Centers in the Province of Iloilo located at Western Visayas Medical Center and Western Visayas State University Medical Center in Iloilo City, Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo, and Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital in Sta. Barbara.

The Malasakit Center, a one-stop shop, enables poor and indigent patients to access medical assistance programs conveniently.

Senator Go is the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. Currently, 167 Malasakit Centers operate nationwide, providing assistance to patients with their medical expenses. According to the DOH, the program has provided aid to over 17 million Filipinos.

"Sa lahat po ng mga konsehal na nandito, maraming salamat po sa inyong serbisyo. Naniniwala po ako na kayo ang kinabukasan ng bayang ito. Isa lang ang maipapayo ko sa inyo, mahalin niyo ang inyong pagseserbisyo, mahalin niyo ang kapwa niyo," Go ended.

Earlier that day, the Senator attended the National Department of Health Employees' Association's (NADEA) 3rd National Convention at the Manila Hotel.