Senator Christopher "Bong" Go's team, in coordination with Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu, provided necessary assistance to coffee farmers in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat on Monday, November 20.

The relief activity was held at the Provincial Capitol grounds, where more or less 400 farmers received shirts and balls for basketball and volleyball. There were also select recipients of a mobile phone, watches and pairs of shoes from the senator.

Moreover, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided livelihood grants to qualified beneficiaries.

Go, a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, has continuously advocated for strengthening agricultural support systems, acknowledging the contribution of farmers in maintaining food security.

"Dapat po masaya po ang ating mga farmers. Dapat po ay kumita ang ating mga farmers. Sila po ang dapat suportahan ng gobyerno," stressed Go.

"Napaka-importante na walang magutom. Sikapin nating bigyan ng karampatang suporta at proteksyon ang ating mga maliliit na magsasaka na kumakayod araw-araw para masigurong may pagkain sa hapag-kainan ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino," he added.

Go was one of the authors of Republic Act 11901, or the Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development Financing Enhancement Act of 2022, which enhanced the financial structure supporting agriculture, fisheries, and rural development. According to Go, this law is designed to offer improved access to credit for rural communities, particularly benefiting farmers, fisherfolk, and agri-based workers. The goal is to elevate their well-being, competitiveness, and productivity.

Moreover, Go served as a co-sponsor and co-author in the Senate of RA 11953, also known as the New Agrarian Emancipation Act. This legislation condones loans accrued by agrarian reform beneficiaries, encompassing the related interests, penalties, and surcharges.

Additionally, the senator filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2117, a measure aimed at ensuring thorough crop insurance protection for agrarian reform beneficiaries. To complement the said bill, Go introduced SBN 2118 to improve insurance coverage and services for farmers, and address the agricultural sector's susceptibility to the consequences of natural disasters if enacted into law.

"Nais kong hikayatin ang lahat ng mga lingkod-bayan na makiisa sa pagtulong sa ating mga magsasaka. Ang kanilang mahalagang papel sa ating pagkain at ekonomiya ay di-matatawaran. Suportahan natin sila sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalakas ng kanilang sektor at pagpapalaganap ng mga programa na tutugon sa kanilang mga pangangailangan," urged Go.

Go also emphasized the importance of improving competitiveness and safeguarding local farmers and industries following the approval of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement. The senator said with increased competition as a result of RCEP, the cost of goods should decline, and the Filipino population, particularly those in vulnerable economic circumstances and the agricultural sector, should reap the benefits.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, likewise urged those with health concerns to seek the services of the Malasakit Center located at Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital in the town.

A brainchild of Go, the Malasakit Centers program provides one-stop shops designed to help particularly poor and indigent patients with their medical expenses by bringing partnered agencies under one roof.

Principally authored and sponsored by Go, RA 11463 institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program where 159 such centers have been established so far, which have helped more than ten million Filipinos nationwide, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

Furthermore, Go continues to push for the construction of more Super Health Centers nationwide. Such centers will offer database management, dental, outpatient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy, and an ambulatory surgical unit. Other services that will be available include eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) care, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine, which enables remote diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, local government units, and DOH, sufficient funds have been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed.

Furthermore, Go cited the recent approval of RA 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, a law that he principally sponsored and co-authored in the Senate. The objective of this legislation is to decentralize specialized medical services by creating specialty centers within existing regional hospitals.

Go expressed optimism that this initiative would enhance the accessibility of government health services, particularly for Filipinos in underserved areas.

In line with his efforts as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go also supported the concreting of roads in Esperanza, Bagumbayan, Isulan, Lambayong, Lebak, Lutayan, and Tacurong City. Additionally, he supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Columbio and Isulan, as well as the procurement of ambulance units for other towns.