Go: Local execs very important

CEBU, Philippines — The role of local leaders is critical in shaping policies that directly impact the lives of their constituents, said Senator Christopher "Bong" Go to participants of the Philippine Councilors League Region 7 4th Quarter Regional Assembly and Seminar held recently in a hotel in Mandaue City.

“Sa totoo lang, pareho lang ang trabaho natin. Ang pinagkaiba lang, kayo sa municipal o city level, habang kaming mga senador sa national level. Bilang mga konsehal, kayo ay nasa isang mahalagang posisyon upang magdulot ng positibong pagbabago sa inyong mga komunidad,” said Go in a video message during the event.

He also expressed deep appreciation for the support and trust he has received from the Filipinos.

“Sa totoo lang, ako po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan n’yo po ako ng pagkakataon na makapag-serbisyo po sa inyo. Maraming, maraming salamat po,” said Go, dubbed as Mr. Malasakit being the principal author of Republic Act 11463, which institutionalized the Malasakit Center.

The Malasakit Center serves as a one-stop shop aimed at helping indigent patients minimize their medical expenses to the lowest amount possible by streamlining access to various agencies offering medical assistance programs.

Go also thanked the officers of the PCL Region 7, including Chairman Mark Fidencio Aurelia, Vice Chairman Rey Lyndon Lawas, Secretary-General Jan Vincent de la Serna, Treasurer Anna Jay Ortega, Auditor Jamel Patrick Royo, and Public Relations Officer Mark Christoffel Banque, among others.

Go also acknowledged the Board of Directors consisting of Councilors Juna Teves, Annabeth Cuizon, Abner Lomongo, Jonathan Villegas Sr., Joseph Pangatungan, Jayson Dawami, and Alona Arcamo.

The gathering also saw the presence of other elected officials, including Valencia Mayor Edgar Teves Jr., Negros Oriental Liga ng mga Barangay chairman Shaquille T. Teves, Tagbilaran City Vice Mayor Paz Rozgoni, and Bantayan Vice Mayor Antonio Montemar, among others.

“Kayo po ang tunay na bayani ng ating mga bayan, ang haligi ng lokal na pamahalaan na nagsusumikap para sa kapakanan ng inyong mga nasasakupan,” said Go.

Go reiterated his commitment to supporting local government units and their officials.

Among the legislative initiatives he supported was Republic Act No. 11466, or the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) 5, for which he was one of the authors and co-sponsors in the Senate in 2019. He also filed SBN 2504, or the proposed SSL 6, aimed at providing fair and competitive compensation for government workers. — (FREEMAN)