Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continued his legislative push to bring public services closer to Filipinos by personally filing ten more priority measures during the second week of the First Regular Session of the 20th Congress.
These proposals build upon his long-standing advocacy to institutionalize inclusive, swift, and compassionate government programs for sectors historically sidelined in policymaking — including health workers, educators, athletes with disabilities, senior citizens, informal settlers, and those born without legal identity.
The new batch of bills filed on Wednesday, July 9 includes the following:
Advanced Nursing Education Program to elevate nursing practice and leadership
The first among the ten newly filed bills seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9173, or the “Philippine Nursing Act of 2002,” by formally establishing an Advanced Nursing Education Program. The measure will give Filipino nurses access to graduate-level education and specialized clinical training.
Expanded Benefits for Para-athletes to ensure parity and fairness
As an advocate for sports development, especially among the youth and differently-abled, Go also filed a bill upgrading the incentives for para-athletes. The proposed measure ensures their rewards are on par with those granted to other athletes in international events of similar prestige.
Delayed Birth Registration Bill to address legal invisibility
With approximately 3.7 million Filipinos still unregistered at birth according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, Go’s proposed measure aims to break the cycle of legal exclusion by facilitating late birth registration due to certain circumstances as provided by the law if enacted. The bill mandates Local Civil Registry Offices (LCROs) to proactively facilitate the registration process within their jurisdictions to ensure no Filipino is left behind.
Institutionalization of Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients
As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Go has consistently championed accessible and equitable healthcare. This measure seeks to institutionalize the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Program, ensuring that funds are made available at the start of every fiscal year across all Department of Health (DOH) hospitals and specialty centers.
“This proposed measure seeks to reduce, if not eliminate, out-of-pocket expenditures of indigent and poor patients,” Go stated.
The bill also mandates the availability of medical assistance in all public hospitals, strengthening the current system, minimizing bureaucratic delays in assistance delivery, and ensuring politics-free implementation.
Monthly Allowance for Teachers and Non-Teaching Personnel
Recognizing the vital role of public school educators in nation-building, Go filed a measure granting an across-the-board monthly allowance to all teaching and non-teaching personnel in basic education public schools.
Establishment of the Philippine Senior Citizens Hospital and Research Institute
In response to the aging population and the growing need for specialized geriatric care, Go filed a bill seeking the creation of a hospital and research institute dedicated to senior citizens.
The proposed facility — to be named the Philippine Senior Citizens Hospital and Research Institute — will provide comprehensive, tailored medical services for older Filipinos, while also promoting research and training in geriatric medicine.
Magna Carta for Barangay Healthcare Workers to secure benefits and tenure
Go also pushed for the long-overdue recognition of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) through a Magna Carta that formally outlines just compensation and benefits. If enacted, it will provide BHWs with security of tenure, correcting years of informal and undercompensated service delivery in the most marginalized communities.
Institutionalization of the Philippine National Games as a grassroots sports platform
Another sports-related bill seeks to institutionalize the Philippine National Games (PNG) under the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). The measure positions the PNG as a nationwide grassroots competition for athletes aged 18 and above representing local government units.
Go emphasized that the PNG may also serve as a primary recruitment platform for National Sports Associations (NSAs), including for out-of-school youth and elite adult athletes — helping identify talents beyond traditional venues and promoting sports to deter the youth from illegal drugs while keeping them healthy and fit.
OFW Hospital Bill for specialized care and telehealth services
To further promote the welfare of modern day heroes, Go filed a measure to officially establish the OFW Hospital under the supervision of the Department of Migrant Workers. The bill mandates round-the-clock telehealth services for overseas Filipino workers and their families, in coordination with the DOH.
The senator pointed out that institutionalizing the OFW Hospital will ensure long-term, dedicated care for Filipino workers abroad — not just symbolic support, but real infrastructure with clear operational mandates.
Rental Housing Subsidy Program for informal settlers and displaced families
Lastly, Go filed a bill to create a Rental Housing Subsidy Program to bridge informal settler families into the formal housing market. The proposed program will also serve as a mechanism for temporary relocation during natural and man-made disasters.
By enabling vulnerable families to rent in safe, regulated environments, the bill provides not just shelter but dignity — a concrete step toward addressing urban poverty.
Go earlier filed ten priority measures at the start of the 20th Congress, including bills to: (1) expand the Tertiary Education Subsidy; (2) mandate a PhilHealth ID Health Card; (3) regionalize the National Academy of Sports; (4) modernize the Medical Technology Law; (5) create a Department of Disaster Resilience; (6) provide assistance to indigent jobseekers; (7) implement an across-the-board wage hike; (8) establish Mental Health Offices in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs); (9) institutionalize the Rural Employment Assistance or TUPAD program; and (10) pass a Magna Carta for Barangays.
“Umaasa po ako sa suporta ng kasamahan po natin sa Senado sa pagpasa ng mga panukalang ito na naglalayong ilapit ang serbisyo sa mga Pilipino at sikaping walang kababayan natin ang maiiwan o mapapabayaan,” said Go.
“Sipag, pagmamalasakit, at more serbisyo po ang pwede kong ialay sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino,” he concluded.