Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s commitment to nurturing Filipino talent extends beyond professional arenas to the vibrant courts and fields of municipalities across the country. As chair of both the Senate Committees on Youth and on Sports, Senator Go has provided vital support to grassroots sports events, creating opportunities for young athletes to discover their potential while fostering community spirit.
One example of Senator Go’s grassroots sports support was seen in the Municipality of Naval, Biliran, during its annual Fiesta celebration in honor of Nuestra Señora Birhen del Rosario. The town hosts a basketball league as part of its month-long festivities, with games running from September to October 2024. Following a request from Mayor Gretchen Stephanie Espina, Go extended support to ensure the successful conduct of the tournament, which brought together teams from neighboring municipalities.
In New Bataan, Davao de Oro, Mayor Geraldford Balbin sought financial assistance to improve the town’s sports facilities and provide essential equipment for various athletic activities. The request covered funding for basketballs, volleyball nets, a digital scoreboard, footballs, table tennis sets, chess boards, and a sound system to support local tournaments.
Similarly, in Paete, Laguna, the local government, led by Mayor Ronald Cosico, organized basketball and volleyball leagues from March to April 2024 as part of the town’s psychosocial development initiatives. As a fourth-class municipality heavily reliant on national funding, Paete sought financial assistance to sustain its sports programs.
Meanwhile, in Asuncion, Davao del Norte, the municipal government, under the leadership of Mayor Eufracio Dayaday Jr., prepared for a grand sports event as part of the town’s 76th Founding Anniversary last year. The municipal-wide competition featured basketball and volleyball tournaments for various age brackets, including teams for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and the LGBTQ+ community.
In partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), grassroots sports development is a key focus of Senator Go’s advocacy. He believes sports instill discipline and teamwork while keeping youth away from harmful vices and molding them into responsible citizens.
“As I always remind our youth, get into sports, stay away from illegal drugs to keep us healthy and fit!” he frequently emphasizes, a statement echoed in his visits to sports festivals across the country.
Beyond support to grassroots activities, Go has significantly pushed for policies to hone and support aspiring athletes. He authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11470, which established the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac. NAS integrates sports and secondary education, ensuring that young athletes receive both academic and athletic training, laying a foundation for future success. He has also been supportive of efforts towards institutionalizing the Philippine National Games (PNG) to streamline talent discovery and hone the skills of young athletes nationwide.
As the sponsor in the Senate of the Philippine Sports Commission’s budget, Go has championed the improvement of key facilities like the Rizal Memorial Coliseum and Philsports Arena. He underscores the importance of proper training environments, nutrition, and mental health support for athletes aiming to excel internationally.
“Para sa akin, walang maliit na programa kung ang layunin ay magdala ng pagbabago at inspirasyon sa mga kabataan,” he shared, reinforcing his belief in sports as a tool for nation-building.
Go has also continuously pushed for an increased budget for sports programs to significantly improve Filipino athletes’ preparation, training, and competitive performance on the international stage while launching effective programs to cultivate the talents of young and aspiring sports enthusiasts at the grassroots level.
As Chairperson of the Senate Youth Committee, Go continues to urge government to prioritize sports engagement among citizens, not only for elite athletes but also for aspiring youth athletes, especially at the grassroots.
“As I always remind our youth, get into sports, stay away from illegal drugs to keep us healthy and fit!” he said earlier.
Through his relentless advocacy and hands-on involvement, Senator Bong Go continues to inspire communities across the Philippines to see sports not just as a pastime but as a path toward brighter futures.
“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” underscored Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.
