SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go acknowledged the crucial role of barangay leaders in nation-building, particularly in maintaining peace and order in their communities as he attended the Liga ng Barangay sa Pilipinas (LNBP) Clustered General Membership Assembly at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.

In his speech, Go acknowledged the barangay officials’ hard work, not only throughout the global health crisis but also in addressing crisis situations and daily struggles of their constituents. He stressed that supporting them can further lead to improved local governance and grassroots development.

“Full support po ako sa mga barangay officials. Alam n’yo po yan lahat. Galing po ako sa baba. Alam n’yo, sa city hall ng Davao, umaga pa lang ang kaharap ko barangay captain, barangay kagawad, barangay official. Iyon po ang parati kong nakakaharap doon. Hanggang pag-uwi sa gabi, sila pa rin ‘yung nandidiyan. Sila po ang may dala ng problema – sunog, baha, patay, away sa barangay, hospital bills. Kayo po ‘yung nagdadala talaga ng serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan,” he underscored.

The event was attended by 1,238 barangay officials from Palawan, Quezon Province, Davao del Norte, Pasig City, and Parañaque City. LNBP officials, including National President Eden Chua Pineda, National Executive Director Louvkee Fanlo, and Secretary General Ziffred Anchet, among others, were also present during the event.

“Ako po, inuuna ko talaga ‘yung mga mahihirap, ‘yung mga walang matakbuhan, ‘yung mga kababayan nating helpless, mga hopeless na walang ibang matakbuhan kung ‘di tayo pong nasa gobyerno. Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino, para sa inyong lahat,” Go cited.

“Ang pwede ko lang pong maialay sa inyo ay ang aking pagseserbisyo. Hindi n’yo po ako maririnig na mangangako sa inyo… hindi po ako pulitikong gano’n na magsasalita na kaya kong gawin ito… gagawin ko lang po ang aking trabaho sa abot ng aking makakaya,” he assured.

“Sanay naman po ako sa trabaho. Umaga, tanghali, hapunan, kahit sa panaginip (dahil) iyan na po ang nakagawian ko noon pa. At iyan naman parati ang ipinapaalala ni dating pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte sa akin, unahin mo ang kapwa natin Pilipino, hinding-hindi ka magkakamali,” he continued.

The lawmaker likewise shared that he continues to push for his proposed Senate Bill No. 197 which, if enacted, would provide a Magna Carta for Barangays. In his manifestation during the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Local Government last March 21, Go discussed his proposed measure, including the provisions that seek to promote the welfare of barangay officials and workers.

If passed into law, barangay officials will be treated as regular government employees. The Punong Barangay, members of the Sangguniang Barangay, the Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson, the barangay secretary and barangay treasurer will be entitled to salaries, emoluments, allowances such as hazard pay, representation and transportation allowance, 13th month pay and other benefits that regular government employees enjoy.

“Nag-file po ako ng Magna Carta for Barangay Officials… parati ko pong ipaglalaban ang karapatan ng ating mga barangay officials dahil naiintindihan ko po ang trabaho ng isang barangay captain. Nandirito po ako in my own small capacity na handang magserbisyo sa abot ng aking makakaya, full support po ako sa inyong lahat mga barangay officials,“ Go said.

In 2019, former president Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11462, which sets the next barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections from the second Monday of May 2020 to December 5, 2022. Go was one of the authors of the measure.

In 2022, Go likewise supported the postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to 2023. Among the reasons cited for the postponement of the elections include allocating the funds for the polls to the COVID-19 response instead, giving teachers time to recover following the recent national elections, and avoiding two “divisive” polls in a year.

In the end, Go reassured that as much as he can and to the best of his capacity, he will continue to advocate for the interests and needs of barangay officials to efficiently implement programs and projects that will benefit their respective communities.

“Bukas po ang aking tanggapan sa inyo lalung-lalo na po sa mga kababayan nating mahihirap. Huwag po kayong mag-atubiling lumapit po sa akin. Ituring n’yo lang po ako na hindi ibang tao sa inyo, parang kapitbahay lang po tayo. Sabi ko nga, Bong Go, Kuya Bong Go, kalabitin n’yo lang po ako kahit saan tayo magkita,” Go encouraged.

“Mga lingkod bayan, mga kababayan ko, minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede po nating gawin sa ating kapwa ay gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito. Ako po ang inyong Senator Bong Go, ginawa n’yo pong senador katulad ni (dating) pangulong Duterte, ginawa n’yong pangulo sa anim na taon. Kasama ng mga lingkod bayan na narito, patuloy po akong magseserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya. Dahil ako po’y naniniwala na ang serbisyo po sa tao, serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” he ended.

On the same day, Go visited Cordova where he personally inspected the town’s Super Health Center and provided relief to indigents.

The senator also visited Toledo City to witness the groundbreaking of the city’s Super Health Center and led another distribution activity for more struggling Cebuanos.

Finally, Go visited Cebu City on the same day to lead the launch of the 157th Malasakit Center in Cebu City Medical Center and assist 108 fire-hit households.