Rotary International honors Go

For his dedication and passion for public service, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go was given the Golden Wheel Award by the Rotary International District 3780 during a ceremony last Saturday at the Novotel Hotel in Quezon City.

Rotary International—a global humanitarian organization which aims “to advance goodwill and peace around the world”—confers the Golden Wheel to outstanding individuals who best exemplify the Rotarian spirit of “Service Above Self” and the guiding principles of the Four-Way Test.

As the main awardee, Go said in his speech that he has always been reluctant to receive awards because he is only doing his job as a public servant.

Go, who served as aide to President Duterte for more than 20 years, recounted how the past few years have changed his life.

“From being a relatively unknown individual serving a city mayor, I was thrust into a position of serving the country’s most powerful leader and our beloved nation. I am not just the bridge that connects the Filipino people to the President. As a duly elected senator, I also now serve as their voice in the Senate,” he said, adding that he now has greater responsibilities to fulfill as senator of the republic.

Among the accomplishments he cited is Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Center Act of 2019, which mandates the establishment of Malasakit Centers in 73 hospitals run by the Department of Health (DOH) and in the Philippine General Hospital in Manila.

The center consolidates the medical and financial assistance that patients may apply for from four government agencies—the DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Go also shared his other priority bills that include Senate Bill 206 which seeks to amend RA 8972 or the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000 to expand the discounts, benefits, exemptions and privileges that solo parents are entitled to under the law.

“We know how hard it is to take care of children even with the help of our spouses, so imagine the immense difficulty and social stigma that solo parents must be facing every day,” he said.

He also filed Senate Bill 205 or the Disaster Resilience Act of 2019 which proposes the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) as well as Senate Bill 1228 or the Mandatory Evacuation Center Act.

Citing the various natural calamities that hit the country, Go said it is time for the government to take a proactive approach to disaster management.