Senator Christopher “Bong” Go showed his continued support for micro and small cooperatives during the International Year of Cooperatives celebration held on Saturday, July 5, at Rizal Park, Davao City.
Speaking before members of various cooperatives from Region XI, Go emphasized the importance of empowering small-scale organizations to drive grassroots economic development and build stronger, more self-reliant communities.
“Naniniwala po ako na ang mga kooperatiba ay isa sa mga dapat tulungan at palakasin. Ang sarap po sa pakiramdam kapag pinaghirapan at pinagpawisan mo ang bawat bagay,” Go declared in his speech. “Lalo na sa usaping kooperatiba—paano n’yo ito palalakihin? Paano n’yo ito palalaguin? Tanong talaga ‘yan.”
Go further underscored his intent to prioritize grassroots cooperatives, especially in rural regions, and called for continued government assistance. “Tuluy-tuloy po akong susuporta sa mga inisyatibo at reporma para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kooperatiba, lalo na po ‘yung mga micro at small co-ops.”
A member of the Senate Committee on Cooperatives and Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go recalled the programs he has helped fund and the laws he supported to bolster the cooperative movement.
In recent years, Go also advocated for the Malasakit sa Kooperatiba program which is part of the CDA’s Human Capital Development Program and aims to strengthen the capacity of small cooperatives through financial aid, training, and other development initiatives.
“Ang malasakit natin sa mga kooperatiba ay malasakit rin natin sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino. Hangga’t kaya natin, ipagpapatuloy natin ang pagbibigay ng suporta sa kanila upang masiguro ang patuloy na paglago at kaunlaran ng kanilang mga operasyon,” Senator Go added.
A staunch advocate for cooperative development, Go supported the passage of Republic Act No. 11535 as one of its co-authors and co-sponsors, mandating the appointment of Cooperatives Development Officers at municipal, city, and provincial levels to further strengthen cooperative growth and participation in governance.
Go also expressed pride in being a co-author and co-sponsor of RA 11502, the National Cooperative Month Act, which designates October as a month for celebrating the contributions of cooperatives to the country.
As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, Go also stressed the importance of youth cooperatives in shaping future community leaders. “Sinusuportahan ko rin ang pagtatatag ng mga youth cooperatives bilang paraan upang mahubog ang kanilang kakayahan at makapag-ambag sila sa kanilang mga komunidad.”
He also thanked the people of Davao City for their continued trust. “Hindi ko po kailanman sasayangin ang tiwalang ibinigay n’yo sa akin,” he said, while encouraging unity among Filipinos regardless of faith or background.
To date, Go has authored 19 laws and principally sponsored 94 laws, including 92 measures that establish or upgrade public hospitals nationwide — underscoring his longstanding commitment to improving healthcare access. He has also co-authored or co-sponsored 191 other laws in pursuit of the welfare of various sectors.
Go took the opportunity to reinforce his top priorities as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, including the institutionalization of the Malasakit Centers, the establishment of Super Health Centers, and Regional Specialty Centers.
Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops aiming to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
As of now, 167 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The Department of Health (DOH) reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than 17 million Filipinos.
“Sigurado po ako na marami sa inyo ang nakinabang na sa Malasakit Center,” he said, noting the ease of access provided by the one-stop shops for government medical assistance. “Ganyan ang ginawa natin sa Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC)… hindi lang para sa inyo — para ‘yan sa lahat ng Pilipino.”
Meanwhile, he explained how Super Health Centers complement traditional healthcare by offering localized services: “Medium-type po ito na parang polyclinic. Meron na pong check-up, dental services, laboratory, x-ray. Nandiyan na rin po ang Konsulta Program ng PhilHealth.”
Through the concerted efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, the DOH, led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and local government units, adequate funding was allocated for establishing more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide.
Go then cited RA 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which he principally sponsored and for which he is also one of the authors. The law mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers within existing DOH regional hospitals.
During the event, Go also purchased mineral water from a local vendor and handed out bottles to some cooperative members. He gave the vendor a new pair of shoes, in a gesture that underscored his continued support for small entrepreneurs.
The celebration was also attended by several key figures from both the local government and the cooperative sector. Representing Davao City Acting Mayor Sebastian Duterte was Officer-in-Charge Donna España of the Davao City Cooperative Development Office. Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, who chairs the Committee on Cooperative Development and People’s Participation, was also present.
From the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), attendees included Administrator and Assistant Secretary Santiago Lim, Regional Director Glenn Garcia of CDA Region XI, Chairperson Eduardo A. Cervantes of the Davao City Cooperative Development Council, Vice-Chairperson Amado Francisquete of the Cooperative Development Council Region XI, and Senior Advisor Peter Hinn.
Also in attendance were CDA employees and officials, cooperative members from primary organizations, federations, and unions, cooperative officers from the Davao City Cooperative Development Office, and provincial and municipal cooperative development officers and staff from various localities.
“Sa mga kooperatiba, huwag n’yong kakalimutan—ang inyong pagkakaisa ang inyong lakas,” Go reminded. “Padayon ta! Tuloy lang ang laban. Magkaisa tayong lahat para sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino.”