Senator Bong Go commended the Rotary Club of Downtown Manila for nearly half a century of service to Filipino communities as he joined its 48th Induction Ceremonies at the Oriental Palace Restaurant in Quezon City upon the invitation of Chairman Wilbert Loa.
Go personally congratulated the organization’s incoming officers and members, led by President Arlene Jane Tanchay, as they formally accepted the responsibility of guiding the club through another year of volunteerism, community development and humanitarian service.
“Leadership is not simply about holding a position. It is about serving others with integrity, compassion, and a genuine desire to make a difference,” the veteran legislator said.
The seasoned lawmaker acknowledged Tanchay, Secretary Jeffrey Lim, Treasurer Patrick Leo Chua, Ex-Officio Majid Ghasemi Khoundabi, Administration Director Louie Cochanco, Membership Director Wilbert Loa, Public Image Director Jardine Bautista, The Rotary Foundation Director Willie Yu and Service Projects Director Aerone Que.
The senator also recognized Community Service Chairmen Rasoul Ahmadzadeh and Adrian Chan, International Service Chairman Walter Zhu, Vocational Service Chairman Arsenio Ong, Youth Service Chairman Mark Reynold Arriesgado, Ways and Means Chairmen Jiameng Li and Martina Chen, Sergeant-at-Arms Breechard Uykee and Legal Adviser Albert Santillan.
Go likewise greeted Rotary International District 3810 Governor Bing Carrion, Governor-Elect Jun Pasion, Governor-Nominee Hermie Esguerra, past district governors, club presidents from Manila, Pasay, Cavite and Occidental Mindoro, and the members, spouses, friends and guests of the Rotary Club of Downtown Manila.
Among the other personalities Go acknowledged were former Department of Health undersecretary Eric Tayag, retired justice Raul Victorino, former city administrator Bernie Ang and Alvin Teng.
Go thanked the members and guests who approached him to express their appreciation for his programs, saying he was the one who owed a debt of gratitude to the Filipino people for giving him another opportunity to serve in the Senate.
“Huwag kayong magpasalamat sa akin. Ako po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan niyo po ako ng pangalawang pagkakataon muli na maging senador ng bayang ito, at ginawa niyo pa akong number one sa buong Pilipinas,” he said.
“Bagamat tapos na po ang eleksyon, nandito po ako para magserbisyo po sa inyo. Ako po ang may utang na loob sa sambayanang Pilipino sa tiwalang binigay niyo po at suporta,” Go continued.
He acknowledged the economic difficulties confronting businesses and Filipino families, including elevated prices of basic commodities, fuel and electricity, as well as the weakening purchasing power of the Philippine peso.
“Ang hirap po ng panahon ngayon, alam naman natin. Alam kong magulo ang politika ngayon, pero alam ko hirap din po ang mga negosyante ngayon—mataas ang bilihin, ang baba ng conversion ng peso, ang taas ng kuryente, ang taas po ng presyo ng krudo,” Go said.
“Today, the nation faces challenges that, in many ways, are even more severe than those we endured during the pandemic,” he added.
Go emphasized that entrepreneurs must be allowed to conduct business in a peaceful and stable environment without being subjected to improper pressure from government personnel.
“Gusto ko lang po makabalik tayo sa normal natin na buhay.”
“Gusto ko lang po makabalik tayo sa normal natin na buhay—‘yung normal na buhay na nakakalakad tayo, at kayo pong mga negosyante, makakapag-negosyo kayo nang maayos, tahimik, na hindi kayo naha-harass ng mga nasa gobyerno,” he added.
Go also expressed concern over criminality and public safety, recalling the peace and order campaign implemented during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte. He said ordinary Filipinos, including motorcycle riders and workers travelling at night, must be protected from robbery, violence and other criminal acts.
Go then devoted a significant part of his speech to explaining his health advocacies.
Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops aiming to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount. Go is the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
As of now, 167 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The Department of Health reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than 17 million Filipinos.
Super Health Centers, meanwhile, serve as medium-sized polyclinics that provide primary healthcare, consultations, diagnostic services and treatment for minor medical cases. He said these facilities can help decongest larger hospitals by enabling patients to receive essential services closer to their communities.
Go also highlighted the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which provides for the establishment of specialized medical centers in selected DOH hospitals throughout the country.
These specialty centers cover services such as cancer care, kidney care, neonatal care, infectious disease treatment, brain and spine care, orthopedics, geriatrics, mental health, burn care, trauma care and cardiovascular treatment.
He said the law would reduce the need for patients from the provinces to travel to Metro Manila merely to obtain specialized medical treatment.
Go urged the Rotary Club to work with the government in expanding opportunities for young Filipinos and developing future leaders who understand the importance of service and social responsibility.
“Let us continue creating opportunities that will allow our young people to reach their full potential while fostering a culture of compassion, volunteerism, and malasakit sa kapwa.”
“Together, let us continue creating opportunities that will allow our young people to reach their full potential while fostering a culture of compassion, volunteerism, and malasakit sa kapwa,” he continued.
Go ended his speech by reminding the Rotary members that opportunities to assist others must never be postponed.
“Mga kababayan ko, minsan lang tayo dadaang sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na puwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa, gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” he said.
“Ako po ang inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go, patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo po sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” Go concluded.
