Senator Christopher “Bong” Go was declared as an adopted son of Rizal, Laguna, through Resolution No. 113-2024, passed by the Sangguniang Bayan for his valuable contribution to the town’s development, especially for the construction of the New Rizal Public Market, which is now being utilized for its purpose and currently provides livelihood to Rizal’s residents.
On Wednesday, August 28, the signed resolution was personally handed over to Go’s office at the Senate of the Philippines. Go is also an adopted son of CALABARZON and has familial ties to the Tesoro clan of Batangas.
According to Go, the New Rizal Public Market, which he supported as the Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, is more than just a place for buying and selling goods. It is a hub of economic activity, fostering local entrepreneurship and providing small business owners a platform to thrive.
“Bilang inyong lingkod-bayan, nais kong bigyang-diin ang kahalagahan ng ating pampublikong pamilihan sa pag-unlad ng ating komunidad. Ang pamilihan ay hindi lamang isang lugar kung saan tayo bumibili at nagbebenta ng mga produkto, ngunit ito ay simbolo ng ating pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan bilang isang komunidad,” said Go.
“Ang pampublikong pamilihan sa Rizal ay isang mahalagang proyekto na naglalayong palakasin ang lokal na ekonomiya at magbigay ng mas maraming oportunidad sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.
To support local development, Go authored and co-sponsored Republic Act 11960, also known as the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Act, which formalizes the OTOP Philippines Initiative. The program aims to support the expansion of MSMEs (micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises) across the country.
The OTOP Program identifies and promotes unique products from different towns and municipalities. By doing so, it not only fosters entrepreneurship but also harnesses local resources while preserving the country’s cultural heritage. This approach helps micro-businesses gain visibility, access markets, and enhance their competitiveness, contributing to economic resilience.
Senator Go expressed his gratitude to local officials involved in this effort, including Mayor Vener Muñoz, Sangguniang Bayan Members Christopher Isles, Marvin Opulencia, Marvin Austral, Vener Hugo, John Matthew Visey, John Louie Alad, Mario Nicolas, Marion Solquia, and Lemuel For males, among others.
“Huwag po kayong magpasalamat sa amin. Sa totoo lang po, kami ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan niyo po kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyo,” Go remarked.
Senator Bong Go has consistently proven his genuine concern for the nation through the implementation of programs for health, sports, food security, infrastructure, and many others. Rizal, Laguna is one of the municipalities that benefited from the Senator’s efforts.
Go’s commitment to Rizal was evident as he promised continued support. “Ako naman po bilang inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go at bilang adopted son na po ng Rizal, asahan niyo patuloy akong tutulong sa inyong pag-asenso sa abot ng aking makakaya,” he said.
“Sa pagbibigay ng oportunidad sa ating mga mamamayan, patuloy nating pinatutunayan na ang pagtutulungan at pagkakaisa ay isang epektibong daan patungo sa ating pagbangon muli mula sa mga pagsubok na ating hinaharap,” the Senator added.
Promoting enhanced access to quality healthcare services, Go, the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, urged residents to also visit the Malasakit Centers in Laguna.
Located at Laguna Provincial Hospital in Sta. Cruz and at the San Pablo City General Hospital, the Malasakit Centers offer medical assistance programs to those in need.
The Malasakit Centers program, a brainchild of Senator Go, aims to streamline and expedite the delivery of medical assistance to indigent patients by consolidating the services of various government agencies under one roof. The program was launched in 2018 and was later institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate.
Currently, the 166 Malasakit Centers nationwide have assisted more or less ten million Filipinos, as reported by the Department of Health.
As the Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported various infrastructure and public works projects across the entire Laguna. These include the construction of the multi-purpose building in Rizal, the road and bridge rehabilitations in Calauan and Cavinti, where essential connectivity improvements have been made. In Biñan City and San Pedro City, major flood control and river protection projects to safeguard residential areas and agricultural lands were also built. Community and environmental projects also receive attention, with efforts like street lighting installations in Biñan City and waste management improvements in Bay.
“Magtulungan lang po tayo. Sino ba namang magtutulungan kung hindi tayo, mga kapwa nating Pilipino,” urged Go, who is also known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassion for the poor.
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