Senator Christopher “Bong” Go visited Pasig City on 24 April, continuing his campaign through a two-day motorcade that also reached parts of neighboring Cainta, Rizal. The senator met with residents and local vendors as he pushed for improved healthcare access, food security, and livelihood support for the urban poor.
Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, said his legislative priorities include strengthening grassroots medical services, expanding job opportunities, and empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“As a public servant, my priorities are healthcare, as well as providing sufficient jobs and livelihood. These are some of the pro-poor programs I’m fighting for,” Go said in Filipino.
“We have pushed for more livelihood programs for entrepreneurs in our country. Let’s support small businesses. Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) make up the majority of our businesses,” he added.
In Pasig, Go highlighted the Malasakit Centers program, created under Republic Act No. 11463, which he principally authored. There are currently 167 operational centers nationwide, including one at the Rizal Medical Center in the city. The program aims to reduce the cost of hospitalization for indigent patients by streamlining access to medical assistance.
He also cited the rollout of Super Health Centers, a nationwide initiative to enhance primary care and early disease detection at the community level. Over 700 of these centers have been funded through his coordination with fellow lawmakers, the Department of Health, and local government units.
Expanding on specialized healthcare, Go mentioned Republic Act No. 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of specialty medical units in all DOH regional hospitals.
“Health is equal to life for every Filipino. It’s important that each family has enough income and food on the table,” he underscored.
Go also expressed support for local businesses, meeting with street food vendors during his visit and encouraging residents to support small enterprises. He co-sponsored and is one of the authors of Republic Act No. 11960, the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Act, which promotes Filipino-made goods and helps small producers expand their markets.
Meanwhile, Pasig mayoral candidate Ate Sarah Discaya and her Team Kaya This have been actively campaigning in the city. Highlighting her experience as a construction company executive, Discaya has committed to infrastructure improvements and social welfare programs targeting students, single parents, and other vulnerable groups.