Senator Bong Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, attended the Serbisyong Totoo Sports Clinic held in Matalam, North Cotabato recently.
The event showcased aspiring athletes from nearby communities who were given the opportunity to learn and train under the guidance of seasoned coaches and mentors.
As part of his advocacy to promote sports and provide equal opportunities to aspiring athletes in the grassroots, Go has been actively championing various sports-related initiatives across the country.
The legislator commended the Serbisyong Totoo Sports Clinic spearheaded by the North Cotabato provincial government for nurturing young talents from remote areas and giving them access to professional training and guidance.
The event was led by Governor Emmylou Taliño Mendoza, Matalam Mayor Oscar Valdevieso and Vice Mayor Ralph Ryan Rafael. Also present during the activities were Board Members Sittie Antao, Jomar Cerebo, Ivy Dalumpines, Jonathan Tabara, among others.
In support of the initiative, the lawmaker turned over sports equipment such as balls for basketball and volleyball to the 34 barangays that participated in the program.
“Bilang chairman ng Committee on Sports sa Senado, iniengganyo ko ang kabataan to get into sports and stay away from drugs. Mamimigay ako ng mga bola ngayong araw para mapromote ang sports sa inyong komunidad at mailayo ang kabataan sa masasamang bisyo tulad ng iligal na droga,” the senator stressed.
“Gusto ko ang mga kabataan na ma-involve sa sports para maging disiplinado at produktibong mga mamamayan.”
“Kung mayroon pa po kayong mga grassroots sports program tulad nito, handa akong tumulong sa inyo dahil gusto ko ang mga kabataan na mainvolve sa sports para maging disiplinado at produktibong mga mamamayan,” he committed.
Go took time to interact with the athletes, encouraging them to pursue their dreams while instilling in them the importance of discipline, dedication, and hard work.
He also committed to continue pursuing efforts to improve training facilities, equipment, and support systems to ensure that aspiring athletes have the necessary tools and support to excel in their chosen sports.
It is for this reason that Go continues to push for Senate Bill No. 423 or the proposed Philippine National Games Act, which aims to provide a platform for athletes across the nation, particularly young individuals in the countryside, to showcase their skills and compete at the national level.
It likewise seeks to ensure a more inclusive system of promoting promising Filipino athletes who possess potential in various fields of sports to be given an equal opportunity of becoming future contenders in international sporting competitions and cement the country’s status as a “Sports Powerhouse in Asia”.
“The Philippine National Games is a nationwide multi-sport event that aims to unite Filipino athletes from all regions of the country. This program, if institutionalized, seeks to establish a long-term approach to promote inclusivity, encourage grassroots participation, and discover and develop exceptional talents in various sports disciplines,” Go explained.
Moreover, he authored and co-sponsored the measure that became Republic Act No. 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in 2020.
NAS is a government-run educational institution that offers quality secondary education with a special curriculum on sports for gifted young Filipinos who want to enhance their physical and mental capabilities in sports.
“Ang National Academy of Sports. Iyan ay paaralan, pwedeng mag-aral at the same time pwede mag-training.”
“Ako na inyong kapitbahay na taga-Davao, mayroon akong batas na ako ang co-sponsor at author, iyan ang National Academy of Sports. Iyan ay paaralan, pwedeng mag-aral at the same time pwede mag-training. Doon ‘yun sa Clark, para yung mga atleta natin pwedeng mag-training, pwedeng mag-aral ng sabay,” Go explained.
“Hindi masasakripisyo ang pag-aaral dahil dyan sila magti-training at the same time. Kaya mga bata, pakiusap ko lang sa inyo mag-aral kayo nang mabuti. Kayo pa naman ang kinabukasan ng ating bayan,” he reminded.
On the same visit, Go also extended assistance to 1,138 residents from various sectors including youth camp volunteers at Matalam Central Elementary School. Go provided grocery packs, vitamins, masks, and snacks to all while he also extended bicycles, mobile phones, shoes, shirts, watches, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select recipients.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended financial assistance to qualified beneficiaries.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, he supported the construction of several barangay halls and a multipurpose building in the town.
Before his visit to Matalam town that day, Go was in Alamada town where he provided assistance to indigents and farmers, and joined the 54th Araw ng Alamada celebration.
