More Serbisyo in 20th Congress

More Serbisyo in 20th Congress | Daily Tribune

As the fight for our advocacies continues in the 20th Congress, your Senator Kuya Bong Go remains guided by the principle that the interest of the nation and the interest of the Filipino people should always come first. I remain committed to pushing for laws and initiatives that will bring medical services closer to the people, and give priority to our sports, youth, and education sectors.

I am extremely grateful to my fellow senators for once again electing me as Chairman of the Senate Committees on Health and Demography, on Sports, and Youth. It is an honor to be given the opportunity to continue serving our fellow Filipinos.

I am proud of what we have achieved together during the 19th Congress. So far, we have authored 19 laws and principally sponsored 94 laws, including 92 laws for the establishment and upgrade of public hospitals. We have also co-authored or co-sponsored 191 laws aimed at uplifting the lives of our fellow Filipinos.

Our mission to bring more service with compassion shall continue with even greater resolve. With our more than 40 priority bills already filed in the Senate, health remains at the core of our legislative agenda. With the help of my fellow lawmakers, we will work hard to replicate, if not surpass, our achievements during the last six years.

Through our flagship advocacies, like the Malasakit Centers program, the Super Health Center initiative, and the Regional Specialty Centers Law, we aim to bring medical services closer to poor Filipinos. In the 20th Congress, we will fight for the enactment of bills that aim to address the needs not only of patients but also of healthcare workers and professionals.

At the start of the 20th Congress, we filed key health-related bills, including Senate Bill No. 170 to provide PhilHealth ID cards for all Filipinos, SBN 176 mandating mental health offices in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), and SBN 411 establishing a dedicated hospital and research institute for senior citizens, to be known as the Philippine Senior Citizens Hospital and Research Institute.

We continue our advocacy for a healthier nation by promoting sports among the youth to keep them away from drugs and help them stay healthy and fit. As one of the authors and co-sponsors of Republic Act 11470, we championed the establishment of the National Academy of Sports in New Clark City to offer quality education alongside specialized sports training.

In the present Congress, we propose to expand and regionalize the NAS program through SBN 171 or the National Academy of Sports Regional Expansion Bill. We also filed SBN 413 or the Philippine National Games bill, which seeks to institutionalize a nationwide grassroots sports competition.

Your Senator Kuya Bong Go is just one voice in the Congress. But with the help of my colleagues, stakeholders, and our kababayans, we can have more laws that will truly benefit the nation and its people.

On 30 July, we joined the Philippine Society of Medical Laboratory Scientists (PSLMS) Inc. 5th National Summit Opening Program with National President Estelita Joji Cadiente and Summit Chair Annalyn Costales.

On 31 July, we also personally visited and extended help to 172 fire victims in Barangay 93, Zone 8, District 1, Tondo, Manila. We then proceeded to distribute aid in Rosario, Cavite in coordination with the municipal government, led by Mayor Voltaire Ricafrente and Vice Mayor Bamm Gonzales. The beneficiaries were solo parents, senior citizens, elementary, senior high school, and college students, and those who are under medical treatment.

Meanwhile, in the aftermath of Tropical Storms Crising and Dante, and Typhoon Enteng, many of our kababayans were displaced. Hence, the Malasakit Team extended a helping hand by going to the grassroots area to deliver assistance.

The Malasakit Team aided a total of 4,100 flood victims in Bulacan, including residents from Plaridel with Mayor Jocell Vistan, Guiguinto with Councilor Lara Ventura, Marilao with Kgwd. Ian Cictoriano, Obando with Mayor Ding Valeda, Calumpit with Councilors Mau Torres and Derrack Pangan, Bustos with Board Member Tato Angeles and Vice Mayor Martin Angeles, Paombong with Mayor Mac Marcos, San Jose del Monte City, and Balagtas.

In Tarlac, we reached 1,500 beneficiaries in various towns, including Tarlac City, La Paz, Concepcion with Mayor Noel Villanueva, Camiling with Mayor Ate Joyce Agustin, Moncada with Mayor RB Aquino, and Paniqui with Mayor Katleen Roxas, with support from Governor Christian Yap. In Pampanga, 900 individuals were assisted in Minalin with Mayor Philip Naguit and in Arayat with Mayor Jeffrey Luriz. In Bataan, 600 received aid in Balanga with Mayor Raquel Garcia and in Abucay with former mayor Robin Tagle.

In Muntinlupa City, 400 individuals received assistance, while 150 were aided in Tondo, Manila, and 50 in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City. In Cavite, 375 affected families from Indang and Imus City received aid, with the help of Indang Mayor Vergel Fidel and Barangay Poblacion IV-A Captain Pet Figueras for Imus City. In Batangas, 250 were assisted in Tingloy with Vice Mayor Mikee Alvarez. In Quezon province, 250 residents from Real were helped with the support of Mayor Julie Ann Macasaet. Meanwhile, 300 residents in Rizal also benefited from the outreach.

In Laguna, a total of 286 individuals from the towns of Victoria, Sta. Cruz, Lumban, and Bay received aid through the support of LGBT Pilipinas representative Emily Evangelista, Barangay Pag-asa Captain Hermie Bidanya in Bay, and Councilor Grevi Pahutan. In Pangasinan, 400 individuals benefited from the outreach in Dagupan City with Councilor Danee Canto and in Mangaldan with Mayor Bona Fe de Vera.

In Occidental Mindoro, 550 residents were helped in Mamburao with Councilor Jenny Villar and in Paluan with Mayor Sonnary Pablo, along with 550 more through the support of Mayor Gloria Constantino. In Oriental Mindoro, 500 were assisted in Bongabong with Mayor John Michael Malaluan.

In Negros Occidental, a total of 2,550 beneficiaries received assistance across multiple municipalities. This includes residents from Hinigaran with Mayor Mary Grace Arceo and Councilor Xenia Guanco, Bago City with Mayor Mayette Javellana, Valladolid with Mayor Ricardo Presbitero Jr., San Enrique with Mayor Jilson Tubillara, and Himamaylan City with Mayor Raymund Tongson, as well as residents of Hinobaan.

In Antique, 692 individuals were assisted in the municipalities of Sebaste, Culasi, and Tibiao. In Aklan, 400 received help in Ibajay, with the support of Mayor Miguel Miraflores, and in Madalag.

The Malasakit Team also attended various events, such as the turnover of the Super Health Center in Barangay Del Carmen and Barangay Digkilaan in Iligan City, with Mayor Frederick Siao, and in Munai, with Mayor Racma Andamama---all in Lanao del Norte. We also joined the University of Batangas - Batangas City Gawad Ubian awards ceremony, where we were recognized as the top scholarship grantor.

As your Mr. Malasakit, I will work hard to the best of my abilities because this is the mandate from the Filipino people.

Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos.