IN a ceremony conducted at the Malacañang Palace on Thursday, June 16, President Rodrigo Duterte conferred the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Grand Cross on Senator and former Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go for his contributions to nation-building and in helping achieve the goals of the administration in the past six years as well as in the country’s fight against COVID-19.

The Order of Lakandula was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 236, s. 2003 or the Honors Code of the Philippines. It is conferred upon an individual who has devoted his life to the peaceful resolution of conflict and/or whose life is worthy of emulation by the Filipino people.

Go was also awarded with the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the rank of Magalong. The said award is given to government officials or personnel and private individuals who have rendered “extraordinary service or have made exceptional contributions to the success of an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the President.”

The senator said that, while he did not expect to receive the awards, he is honored to be recognized for the work he has done to help the President. He went on to say that helping his fellow Filipinos and seeing them overcome difficulties is enough reward for him.

“Isang malaking karangalan ang mabigyan ng parangal mula kay Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Hindi ko inasahang mabibigyan ako nito dahil, isa sa mga natutunan ko mula sa tagal ng aming pagsasama ng Pangulo ay hindi dapat naghahangad ang isang lingkod bayan ng pagkilala,” said Go adding that “magkaroon ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo ay sapat na.”

“Para sa akin, sapat nang makita ko sa mga Pilipino ang mga ngiti kapag napagserbisyuhan at natulungan ko sila sa kanilang pinagdadaanang hirap,” he added.

Aside from the senator, other recipients are members of the Cabinet, including Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Department of Finance Sec. Carlos Dominguez III, Department of Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade, Department of Public Works and Highways former secretary Mark Villar, Presidential Adviser for Covid-19 response Sec. Vivencio Dizon, Department of Health Sec. Francisco Duque III, former cabinet secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles, Department of National Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana, Department of Education Sec. Leonor Briones, Department of the Interior and Local Government Sec. Eduardo Año, the Chief Implementer of NTF Against COVID-19 Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, and Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec. Martin Andanar.

At the height of the pandemic, Go was one of the co-authors of the bill that became Republic Act No. 11469, or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,” which sought to empower and provide the government the flexibility it needed to deal with the public health crisis.

He also pressed for the passage of RA 11494 or the “Bayanihan to Recover as One Act” which sought to finance various programs of the government, such as the improvement of the healthcare system, implementation of a cash-for-work program, assistance to industries affected by the pandemic especially the agriculture sector, and the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, among other interventions.

In the wake of the public health crisis, Go also successfully urged the administration to provide all the support possible for vulnerable sectors particularly financial assistance to small business employees affected by the pandemic through the Small Business Wage Subsidy program.

He likewise made a personal appeal to the Government Service Insurance System to waive penalties for delayed remittances, release pensions early, and grant emergency loans to Filipino retirees.

The senator also pressed the administration for a one-time financial aid to be granted to local government units to help localities cope with the growing needs of their constituents during the pandemic.

Go was also active in addressing the plight of locally stranded individuals due to the quarantine measures at the height of the pandemic. Additionally, his office also assisted private donors in determining and distributing donations and assistance to hospital beneficiaries.

Go then expressed his gratitude to Duterte and the Filipino people for entrusting him with the honor, saying that he would never tire of serving them for the country’s betterment.

“Buong puso akong nagpapasalamat kay Pangulong Duterte at sa sambayanang Pilipino sa pagkakataong makapaglingkod sa inyo,” said Go.

“Hindi magbabago ang aking pangako na mag-alay pa ng buo at walang pagod na serbisyo. Gagawin kong inspirasyon ang pagkilalang ito para mas pagbutihin at pag-ibayuhin pa ang aking paglingkod sa ating kapwa Pilipino at sa ating bansa,” he added.