BATANGAS Governor Hermilando Mandanas has endorsed Senator Christopher “Bong” Go for vice president in the 2022 elections, saying that the lawmaker’s vast experience in his over 20 years of service at the local and national levels of government will help guide the country through these unprecedented times.

In a letter, Mandanas highlighted the latter’s legislative achievements, particularly the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 which improved access to affordable health care and helped around three million poor and indigent patients obtain the medical treatments and services that they need.

“You truly [personify] the essence of public service. And you have already shown your commitment and capabilities since you worked in the local and national government with then Mayor and now President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. And also your legislative work for the last three years is nothing short of outstanding,” stated Mandanas.

“The results of your public service are testaments to your concrete advocacy of a more responsive and inclusive governance, making sure that government services cater to local needs. I can attest that you are a real champion of the masses,” he affirmed.

The Governor also expressed his “sincerest gratitude” on behalf of the province for the support extended by Go as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance to various infrastructure initiatives, efforts to attract investors, and other projects that have mitigated the impacts of disasters and other crises on communities.

He especially thanked the senator for his support for the implementation of a Supreme Court ruling in 2018 which expanded the source of the allotment of local government units to all national taxes and not only the national internal revenue taxes. This increase in funds is expected to improve the delivery of basic services at the local level. The said ruling was made on a petition filed by then 2nd District Representative Mandanas in 2012.

In response, Go reaffirmed his pledge to continue advocating for the interests of the Filipinos in keeping with his commitment as a Batangueño himself and an adopted son of the Southern Tagalog Mainland to support the long-term development of the region.

“Sa mga minamahal kong kababayan, maraming salamat po sa patuloy na paniniwala at suporta ninyo sa amin ni Pangulo at sa buong administrasyong Duterte,” Go said.

“Patuloy nating iparamdan sa bawat sulok ng bansa ang mga magagandang programa at pagbabagong inumpisahan at ginagawa ng administrasyong ito,” he added.

In 2019, the leaders of the five provinces comprising the CALABARZON made a united stand by issuing a manifesto declaring Go, who traces his roots to the Tesoro clan in Batangas, an adopted son of the region.

Since winning a seat in the Senate, Go, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, has supported the establishment of a second Malasakit Center in the province after the Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery opened its own in 2019. The Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City is the 114th hospital to launch a Malasakit Center, which officially opened its doors last May 27. There are currently 142 Malasakit Centers nationwide.

He likewise supported various infrastructure initiatives to enhance the local economy and improve the quality of life of Batangas residents. These include the rehabilitation of existing roads in Agoncillo, Balayan, Bauan, Calaca, Ibaan, Lipa City, Mabini, Mataas na Kahoy, Nasugbu, San Juan, San Luis, San Nicolas, Santa Teresita, Santo Tomas, Taal, and Tuy; construction of a potable water system in Balete; rehabilitation of the Lobo River flood mitigation structures in Lobo and San Juan; improvement of the public market in Cuenca; construction of a multi-purpose building in Nasugbu; and improvement of the public parks and plazas in San Nicolas.

Other major initiatives include the construction or rehabilitation of local roads, construction of multi-purpose buildings, improvement of the water system, rehabilitation of the flood control structure, and construction of a slope protection structure in Batangas City.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Senator has also provided much-needed aid to thousands of residents in Alitagtag, Balayan, Batangas City, Calaca, Laurel, Lipa City, Lobo, Nasugbu, San Jose, San Nicolas, and Santa Teresita.

“Pero sa ngayon, ayaw kong pag-usapan muna ang pulitika. Unahin muna nating malampasan ang krisis na dulot ng COVID-19. Bakuna muna bago pulitika. Gampanan muna natin ang ating tungkulin sa bayan bago ang halalan,” Go expressed.

Go was personally on-site on July 13 to lead the distribution of aid to hundreds of residents who were affected by the Taal volcanic unrest in Laurel. He also visited the province in early 2020 to immediately aid residents affected by Taal.

“Kahit anumang problema ang inyong hinaharap—sunog, lindol, baha, pagputok ng bulkan o kahit anong klaseng krisis—handa kaming tumulong at magserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya. Huwag kayo mawawalan ng pag-asa dahil hindi kayo pababayaan ng gobyerno na palaging nagmamalasakit sa inyo,” Go reiterated.