Senator Bong Go was recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Legislator-Senators in the Philippines by the Gawad Pilipino Awards during the Gawad Balangay Awards held o at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Commissioned Officers Club House in General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
In a video message, Go emphasized that beyond any award or recognition, his priority remains serving and helping ordinary Filipinos.
“Higit sa anumang award o pagkilala, ang pinakamahalaga sa akin ay ang pagkakataong makapagserbisyo at makatulong sa ating mga kababayang Filipino,” the veteran legislator said.
The seasoned lawmaker reiterated his belief that public service should make a difference in the lives of ordinary Filipinos, saying this principle guides his work in the Senate.
“I always believe that public service is about making a difference in the lives of ordinary Filipinos.”
“I always believe that public service is about making a difference in the lives of ordinary Filipinos. Kaya bawat batas na ating isinusulong, bawat programang ating sinusuportahan, at bawat pagkakataong makapaghatid ng tulong ay ginagawa natin para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan,” the senator added.
He said the recognition would inspire him to further improve his work as a public servant, while stressing that his commitment to service does not depend on receiving awards.
“Ang pagkilala na ito ay magsisilbing inspiration sa atin na mas pagbutihin pa ang ating trabaho. Tulad ng lagi kong sinasabi, with or without recognition, we will continue to serve,” Go said.
For him, the true measure of public service is not the number of awards received but the assistance and service delivered to the Filipino people.
“Ang tunay na sukatan ng serbisyo ay hindi kung ilang parangal ang natatanggap natin, kundi kung paano tayo nakakatulong at nakakapagserbisyo sa ating mga kababayang Filipino.”
“Ang tunay na sukatan ng serbisyo ay hindi kung ilang parangal ang natatanggap natin, kundi kung paano tayo nakakatulong at nakakapagserbisyo sa ating mga kababayang Filipino,” Go emphasized.
During the event, he was represented at the awarding ceremony by his good friend and veteran actor Phillip “Ipe” Salvador.
As Chairperson of the Senate Committees on Sports and on Youth, Go has pursued measures aimed at expanding opportunities for young Filipinos and providing greater support to Filipino athletes.
Among these efforts is the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, which he authored and co-sponsored under Republic Act No. 11470. The academy provides qualified student-athletes with a specialized secondary education program that integrates academic instruction with intensive sports training.
Go also filed Senate Bill No. 171, or the proposed National Academy of Sports Regional Expansion Act of 2025, which seeks to establish regional NAS campuses across the country, particularly in Visayas and Mindanao.
He has also filed measures to strengthen benefits and incentives for Filipino athletes and coaches, including SBN 407, which seeks to amend RA 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, to provide more inclusive incentives, particularly for para-athletes.
Beyond sports and youth development, Go, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, has consistently pushed for measures aimed at improving access to healthcare and providing assistance to vulnerable sectors.
Among his key legislative advocacies is RA 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act, which he principally authored and sponsored. The law institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program as one-stop shops where indigent and financially incapacitated patients can conveniently access medical and financial assistance from government agencies.
Currently, 167 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide. According to the Department of Health, the program has assisted more than 17 million Filipinos with their medical expenses.
For Go, these legislative efforts are part of his broader commitment to ensuring that government programs and services reach Filipinos, particularly those who need assistance the most.
“Nandito lamang po ang inyong Senator Kuya Bong na handang magserbisyo po sa inyo lahat sa abot ng aking makakaya,” he concluded.
