560 health workers get assistance from SBG

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go visited Lupon, Davao Oriental, on 3 November to extend assistance to 560 barangay health workers and barangay functionaries in recognition of their contributions to delivering essential services, promoting community welfare, and maintaining peace and order.

Go led the distribution of financial assistance, food packs, snacks, and shirts to the beneficiaries. They also gave away basketballs, while shoes, watches, bicycles, and mobile phones were raffled off during the gathering.

“We should take care of our fellow Filipinos. I know times are difficult now and the prices of goods are high. Let us help one another. I will do my best to help you in whatever way I can,” Go said.

He urged residents to stay in touch with his office through his local representatives, stressing the importance of keeping public service accessible, particularly to those in need.

“My child is here. If you have any suggestions or anything you want to bring to my attention, do not hesitate to approach them. If you need anything, you may relay your concerns through them. I have only one message for everyone: let us keep working and serving. Our offices should always be open, especially to our fellow Filipinos who need assistance,” he said.

Special allowances offered

Go cited his legislative efforts to strengthen support for BHWs and other healthcare workers, including his authorship and co-sponsorship of Republic Act 11712, which provides health emergency allowances and other benefits to eligible healthcare workers during public health emergencies.

He also pushed for Senate Bill No. 412, or the proposed Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers, which seeks to improve their welfare and provide additional benefits and protection. He likewise filed Senate Bill No. 1352, which seeks to strengthen protection for workers in the private health sector.

Beyond healthcare, Go has pursued measures to strengthen barangay governance and improve the welfare of local officials and personnel.

These include Senate Bill 197, or the proposed Magna Carta for Barangays, which seeks to provide barangay officials with salaries and benefits comparable to those received by regular government employees.

He also filed Senate Bill 2802, which proposed extending the terms of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials from three years to four years.

Republic Act 12232, signed on 13 August 2025, set a four-year term for barangay and SK officials and postponed the elections to November 2026.