Senator Christopher "Bong" Go attended the North Philippine Union Conference (NPUC) of the Seventh-Day Adventists Year-End Ministerial Fellowship at the Adventist University of the Philippines on Thursday, 14 December.

This event marked a convergence of spiritual leaders and public figures, highlighting the importance of faith in guiding public affairs and community service.

During the fellowship, Go expressed his deep respect for the values and teachings of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He acknowledged the church's contributions to the moral and spiritual upliftment of its members and the community at large.

"Ako po'y tumatanaw ng utang na loob sa Seventh-Day Adventist, sa inyong lahat. Ako po ang nagpapasalamat sa inyo," remarked Go.

"It is with great humility and respect that I join you today at this First Pastors Fellowship – a gathering that brings together the spiritual leaders and their loved ones from across Luzon. As we convene in fellowship and unity, I am reminded of the significant role that faith plays in our lives, especially in these challenging times," he continued.

The senator also took this opportunity to engage with church leaders and members, discussing various social issues and potential collaborative efforts between the government and the religious sector.

A key highlight of Go's address was his commitment to supporting more programs for the poor. "As a public servant, I draw inspiration from your example. It reinforces my commitment to ensuring that our policies and actions as a government are always aligned with the principles of fairness, justice, and compassion, especially towards the less fortunate and marginalized in our society," he stated.

"In the midst of a world often divided, the work you do in bringing people together in teaching the values of love, kindness, and service to others is more important than ever. Your role as a pastor extends beyond the walls of the church. It reaches into the heart of communities, touching and transforming lives," Go highlighted.

Highlighting some of the key programs he advocated for, such as the Malasakit Centers, Super Health Centers, and Regional Specialty Centers, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, elaborated on how these initiatives have made significant impacts.

Malasakit Centers, for instance, are one-stop shops that provide easier access to medical assistance programs from the government, easing the burden on low-income families.

Signed into law in 2019, Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act, which was principally authored and sponsored by Go, institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program to ensure that indigent patients have convenient access to medical assistance programs by the government.

There are now 159 Malasakit Centers nationwide, which have assisted around ten million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

Similarly, the Super Health Centers and Regional Specialty Centers aim to enhance healthcare accessibility, particularly in rural and underserved regions, by providing basic and specialized medical services closer to home.

Through the concerted efforts of lawmakers, adequate funding was allocated for the establishment of 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 more in 2023.

Super Health Centers are medium versions of a polyclinic and an improved version of the rural health unit that offer a range of services, such as database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine, which makes remote diagnosis and treatment of patients possible.

Meanwhile, RA 11969 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which was principally sponsored and co-authored by Go, mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals to bring specialized medical care closer to communities.

"Ngayon po isinabatas na natin ito at prayoridad rin ito ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos. Ako rin ang principal sponsor at co-author nito sa Senado along with our SP Migz Zubiri kung saan po ay magtatayo na ng Specialty Center sa lahat ng DOH regional hospitals across the country," shared Go.

In closing, Go reiterated his promise to work tirelessly for the welfare of all Filipinos, drawing strength and inspiration from his faith and the collective spirit of communities like those within the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

"Salamat po sa inyong lahat. At tandaan po natin, minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa ay gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito. Iyan po ang totoo. Ako po ang inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go, patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat. Dahil ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao, serbisyo po yan sa Diyos," said Go.