Senator Christopher “Bong” Go participated in a holiday outreach program for pediatric cancer patients Friday, using the event to advocate for expanded medical assistance funding and to express solidarity with former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The event, titled “Bring Him Home: A Christmas Outreach,” was held in Davao City, where the senator distributed assistance to young patients from several local institutions, including House of Hope, Bahay Pag-Asa, Balay Dangupan and Co Su Gian.

During the gathering, Go called for increased allocations for the Cancer Assistance Fund under the National Integrated Cancer Control Act. The law, signed by Duterte in 2019, aims to provide affordable medical treatment to cancer patients nationwide.

“Many patients find it difficult to complete their treatment because of high costs,” Go said. “Strengthening the Cancer Assistance Fund ensures more families, especially the poor, can finish their treatment.”

The outreach benefited more than 200 children and staff members across the participating facilities. Go, the former chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, has principally sponsored 95 laws, many of which focused on upgrading public hospitals.

Go also used the occasion to speak on his hope that the former president would be able to spend the holidays with his family.

“This is the season of Christmas, a time for family and faith,” Go said. “As Filipinos, it is only natural to wish that a father and grandfather can be with his family, especially during these days.”

The senator also said that the activity with a prayer for the patients and their caregivers, remarking that Christmas serves as a reminder that those struggling with illness are not alone.