Sen. Bong Go files bills on OFWs, health, labor, and hospitals

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go filed a set of Senate bills on Monday, 09 February 2026, covering labor protection, education, health services, migration governance, and local development. The measures were submitted for the 19th Congress as part of his legislative agenda addressing social protection, public service delivery, and institutional updates.

Go’s proposals include Senate Bill No. 1776, or the National Reintegration Bill, which aims to provide support to returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) through coordinated employment programs, livelihood opportunities, skills recognition, and access to credit. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) would conduct regular job fairs, while the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) would recognize OFWs’ qualifications. The measure also provides training and access to credit through the Small Business Corporation.

Senate Bill No. 1778 seeks to extend survivorship benefits to the surviving spouse and dependent children of retired National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) officials, aligning them with Judiciary post-retirement benefits.

In education, Go filed SBN 1780 or the Mandatory School Clinics Act, which proposes establishing school clinics in all public elementary and secondary schools. Complementary bills SBN 1781 and SBN 1805 seek to establish new high schools in Banaybanay and San Isidro, Davao Oriental.

SBN 1782 proposes converting extension campuses of Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) into regular campuses to expand access to higher education in remote areas.

Health-related bills include SBN 1779, which seeks to establish regional nursing homes for senior citizens; SBN 1783, creating the Tigaon Mother and Child General Hospital; SBN 1784, establishing a DOH hospital in Sogod, Southern Leyte; SBN 1789, the Antipolo-Rizal Tertiary Hospital; and SBN 1790, converting Mabini Community Hospital into a general hospital.

For public service personnel, SBN 1786 aims to grant civil service eligibility to long-serving casual and contractual government employees. For food security, SBN 1787, or the Zero Food Waste Act, proposes a national program requiring food establishments to redistribute safe excess food.

SBN 1777 seeks to institutionalize the Shared Services Facilities Project for MSMEs, promoting cost efficiency and resource sharing. SBN 1788 proposes upgrading the salary grade of government-employed dentists. SBN 1785 would expand allowable uses of the Special Education Fund, while SBN 1791 aims to modernize the Bureau of Immigration under updated systems and position structures.

The fifth batch of bills, Go said, reflects sector-specific priorities, including service access, institutional modernization, and regional development.