Senator Christopher “Bong” Go marked this year’s Araw ng Kagitingan by honoring the courage and sacrifices of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and healthcare workers (HCWs), whom he hailed as among today’s modern-day heroes. The senator emphasized the enduring spirit of service and sacrifice embodied by Filipinos working beyond the borders of the nation and within its most vulnerable communities.
“Ang kagitingan ngayon ay hindi na lamang nasusukat sa mga laban sa digmaan,” said Go.
“Makikita rin ito sa mga OFW na tinitiis ang lungkot at pagod para lang mabigyan ng mas magandang kinabukasan ang pamilya, at sa mga health workers na walang pag-aalinlangang sumuong sa panganib noong pandemya at hanggang ngayon upang proteksyunan ang buhay ng kapwa Pilipino.”
Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and serves as vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, took the opportunity to reiterate the importance of recognizing the daily heroism of those who serve both abroad and at home—particularly those who bore the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic and those who continue to hold up the country’s economic stability through their labor overseas.
The senator reaffirmed his support for OFWs by highlighting his legislative track record, including his role as one of the authors and a co-sponsor of Republic Act No. 11641. Signed into law by former president Rodrigo Duterte in December 2021, the measure created the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), aiming to consolidate and streamline government services to better address the needs of overseas Filipinos.
Recognizing the unique health needs of OFWs, Go also filed Senate Bill No. 2297, which seeks to institutionalize the OFW Hospital in San Fernando City, Pampanga. First established under the Duterte administration through cooperation with the provincial government, the hospital is envisioned to serve as a permanent, dedicated facility for OFWs and their dependents.
To expand its capabilities, he filed SBN 2990, proposing to double the hospital’s bed capacity from 50 to 100 and upgrade its equipment and staffing. Furthermore, Go filed SBN 2414, or the OFW Ward Act, which seeks to mandate the establishment of dedicated OFW wards in all Department of Health (DOH) hospitals nationwide.
On the healthcare front, the senator reaffirmed his role as a health reforms crusader, citing his authorship and co-sponsorship of RA 11712, which provides Health Emergency Allowances (HEA) for healthcare workers who served during public health emergencies. Go has continuously urged concerned agencies to ensure the immediate release of unpaid allowances despite the lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency.
“Hindi pwedeng balewalain ang naitulong nila noong pinakakailangan natin sila,” said Go.
“Ipinaglaban natin ang batas na ito kaya dapat siguraduhin nating maramdaman din nila ang benepisyo.”
He also emphasized the vital role of barangay health workers (BHWs) in community health delivery, pointing to his authorship and co-sponsorship of SBN 2838, the proposed Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers. The measure seeks to institutionalize their rights, benefits, and welfare to recognize their contribution to grassroots healthcare.
“Alam kong hindi madali ang trabaho sa barangay. Minsan hindi sapat ang insentibo, pero hindi sila tumitigil. Kaya responsibilidad nating ipaglaban ang kapakanan nila sa Senado,” he added.
As the nation remembers the valor of those who defended freedom in past generations, Senator Go underscored the need to redefine heroism in the present context—where quiet, relentless service often replaces the clamor of war.
“Ang Araw ng Kagitingan ay paalala na bawat Pilipinong nagsasakripisyo para sa kapwa, para sa bayan, ay isang bayani,” he said. “Hindi man sila makikita sa mga pahina ng kasaysayan,ramdam natin ang kabayanihan nila araw-araw.” ###