Bong Go files Senate reelection bid
SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, widely known as “Mr. Malasakit,” has unveiled a wide-ranging people-centered, service-oriented agenda as he filed his Certificate of Candidacy on October 3 for his reelection bid in the upcoming 2025 Senatorial elections.
Apart from what he has done in his first term as Senator starting in 2019, Go plans to continue and strengthen further his advocacies on health, food security, jobs, education, youth and sports development.
“Hindi ko po sasayangin yung pagkakataon na ibinigay niyo sa akin. Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino. Iyan ang aking maiaalay sa inyo — ang kasipagan ko sa pagtatrabaho at pagtulong sa abot ng aking makakaya. Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbjsyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” he underscored.
Go’s legislative agenda highlights key priorities aimed at addressing some of the most pressing issues facing Filipinos today.
As Chair of the Senate Health committee, Go has always prioritized expanding healthcare, particularly through the Malasakit Centers Act, which he principally authored and sponsored. This initiative streamlines access to medical assistance programs and has benefitted over 15 million Filipinos according to DOH data.
To bring health services closer to Filipinos, Go vowed to further pursue the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide and the implementation of Regional Specialty Centers Act he principally sponsored and authored.
Go highlighted the need to ensure that funds intended for health are utilized to protect the health and promote the well-being of Filipinos. Notably, Go has pushed for reforms in PhilHealth to expand its benefits, reduce premium contributions, increase case rates, provide free medicines, and update its policies such as scrapping the Single Period of Confinement Policy.
Go also calls for the creation of a Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the establishment of a Virology Science and Technology Institute, as well as efforts to ensure the welfare of health workers.
Go also places a strong emphasis on food security and the agriculture sector. He advocates for sustained distribution of agricultural inputs, including drought-resistant seeds, fertilizers, and machinery, to enhance productivity.
The senator also calls for more scholarships for the children to encourage the next generations to remain engaged in agriculture.
Go’s agenda includes proposals for a national Farmers’ and Fishers’ Pension Fund, improved credit facilities with low-interest loans, and expanded crop insurance coverage to protect against crises such as natural calamities.
Go has proposed the institutionalization of a Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) which he has already filed in the Senate. The bill seeks to provide temporary employment to economically disadvantaged, displaced, or seasonal workers in rural areas.
Go, as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, firmly believes that efforts must continuously be pursued to empower the younger generation, encourage their participation in nation-building, and mold them into productive citizens.
Go has also continuously pushed for an increased budget for sports programs to significantly improve Filipino athletes’ preparation, training, and competitive performance while launching effective programs to cultivate the talents of young and aspiring sports enthusiasts at the grassroots level.
