Bong Go's Malasakit Team helps thousands of indigents in Palawan; champions grassroots sports development

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go's Malasakit Team joined a two-day aid activity for indigent residents in Narra, Puerto Princesa City, San Vicente, and Bataraza in Palawan on May 6 and 7.

Go's Malasakit Team assisted a total of 3,516 residents at the Bataraza Municipal Coliseum; Mendoza Park Amphitheatre in Puerto Princesa City; respective barangay gymnasiums of Panacan 1 and Bato-Bato in Narra; as well as respective barangay gymnasiums in Caruray, Barton, Canipo, Alimanguan and Poblacion in San Vicente. The senator's Malasakit Team provided shirts and snacks to the beneficiaries.

As part of his advocacy to promote sports in communities, the senator, Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, also provided balls for basketball and volleyball to the beneficiaries.

In a video message, Go reiterated the role of sports in supporting the ongoing campaign against illegal drugs, saying, "Ang advocacy ko ay health and sports. Gusto kong ipagpatuloy 'yung kampanya laban sa iligal na droga sa pamamagitan ng pag-engganyo po sa ating mga kabataan na maglaro ng basketball o ng kahit anong larong pampalakasan."

"Get into sports, stay away from drugs. Ilayo po natin ang ating mga kabataan sa iligal na droga sa pamamaraan ng pag-i-engganyo sa kanila sa larangan ng palakasan. Kaya nagbibigay po kami ng bola sa inyo para po matuto, makapag-ensayo at gumaling sa larangan ng sports," he encouraged.

Go also highlighted the importance of grassroots sports development. As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Go believes in the untapped athletic potential of the Filipino youth.

The senator also authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports (NAS). Located in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, the NAS is a government-run institution that provides a secondary education integrated with a specialized sports curriculum.

"Kung meron po kayong mga estudyante na gustong mag-aral at the same time, mag-training; gusto mag-training at the same time, mag-aral. Walang masasakripisyo, diyan po yan sa New Clark City may National Academy of Sports. Ating isinulong din po noong nakaraang administrasyon ni dating pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte," Go added.

Still, in line with his advocacy as the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Go discussed Senate Bill No. 2514, which he authored and principally sponsored, known as the proposed Philippine National Games Act. This legislation, also authored by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Majority Floor Leader Senator Joel Villanueva, aims to establish a comprehensive framework for a national sports program, merging grassroots sports promotion with the broader agenda of national sports development.

The struggling residents also received assistance from the national government in partnership with Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Ferdinand Zaballa, Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Bayron, San Vicente Mayor Amy Alvarez, and Bataraza Mayor Abraham Iba.

"Nandito kami para magserbisyo sa inyong lahat. Hindi ako mangangako, magtatrabaho lang ako para sa bawat Pilipino dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos," said Go as he ended his video message.