Senator Bong Go reaffirmed his support for barangay officials and workers as frontline public servants, emphasizing the importance of strengthening their welfare, recognizing their contributions, and ensuring responsive governance at the grassroots level during the 2026 Annual Congress of the Liga ng mga Barangay–Catanduanes Chapter held at the Novel Hotel in Taguig City.
Themed “Future-Ready Barangays: Advancing Innovation, Disaster Resilience, Cybersecurity, Environmental Stewardship, and Good Governance,” the gathering brought together local leaders from across Catanduanes to discuss strategies for strengthening barangay governance, improving public service delivery, and preparing communities for emerging challenges.
Go then underscored the vital role they play as the government’s first point of contact for many Filipinos.
“Alam niyo naman po na full support ako sa inyo noon pa man. Ako rin po, galing po ako diyan noon. Kaharap ko noon sa City Hall ang mga barangay captains ng Davao City. Lahat ng mga problema, kayo po agad ang nakakadala ng solusyon doon sa City Hall,” the veteran legislator said.
Drawing on his experience working closely with barangay leaders in Davao City, the seasoned lawmaker acknowledged the demanding nature of their responsibilities and reiterated his support for measures to improve their working conditions, benefits, and tenure.
“Ang hirap po ng inyong trabaho kaya full support po ako sa inyo. Sa inyong postponement noon, ang fixed term, at kung ano po ang makakabuti sa inyo. Ang inyong Magna Carta for barangay officials, sinuportahan din po natin. Kung ano ang mas makakabuti sa lahat, ‘yun ang aking susuportahan. Interes ng kababayan, interes ng Pilipino,” the senator said.
He also reminded barangay officials that their mandate comes directly from the people they serve, describing them as “superstars in their own right” and encouraging them to remain accessible to their constituents.
“Ang hirap po ng inyong trabaho kaya full support po ako sa inyo.”
“You are superstars in your own right. Dapat bukas po lagi ang ating opisina para sa mga nangangailangan dahil wala silang ibang malapitan kundi tayo lang sa gobyerno,” Go emphasized.
He has consistently pushed for measures that recognize the crucial role of barangay officials in delivering government services and implementing programs at the community level.
“You are superstars in your own right.”
Go cited his support for Republic Act Nos. 11462 and 11935, which postponed the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections and allowed incumbent officials to continue serving and implementing programs and projects for their constituents until their successors were elected and qualified. RA 11462 moved the 2020 elections to December 5, 2022, while RA 11935 further postponed them to October 30, 2023.
He likewise highlighted Senate Bill No. 197, or the proposed Magna Carta for Barangays, which seeks to strengthen the compensation, benefits, and welfare of barangay officials, as well as SBN 2802, which proposes extending the term of office of Barangay and SK officials from three years to six years to give them more time to implement sustainable programs and fulfill their mandates.
According to Go, supporting barangay officials goes beyond providing them with policies and programs—it also means ensuring that they have the necessary support to effectively serve their communities.
“Hindi po biro ang trabaho ninyo. Kayo ang unang nilalapitan ng ating mga kababayan kapag may problema. Kaya dapat suportahan din po natin kayo,” he said.
Go further assured the barangay officials that his office remains open to them and that he would continue advocating measures that respond to the needs of communities.
He also expressed his appreciation to the Liga ng mga Barangay–Catanduanes officials, including Board Member Honesto Lumabi, Acting Liga President; Councilor Danilo A. Romero, Treasurer; Councilor Paulo Camacho, Auditor; and Councilor Philbert Rojas, Member, for their efforts in organizing the gathering.
In closing, Go called on barangay officials and workers to continue working together in advancing responsive, inclusive, and people-centered governance.
“Nawa’y magpatuloy ang inyong sipag sa paglilingkod at pagmamalasakit sa kapwa. Kasama ninyo ako sa layuning ito, at magtutulungan tayo para sa mas magandang kinabukasan ng ating mga kababayan dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao at serbisyo sa Diyos,” he concluded.
