Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said Saturday, July 23 that he is expecting President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. to outline his legislative agenda with special focus on pandemic response and full and inclusive recovery during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 25.

Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, expressed hopes that President Marcos Jr. would give top priority to policies that would strengthen the country's healthcare system, improve the nation's ability to withstand natural disasters, and guarantee food security for Filipinos.

To help advance the agenda of the new administration, Go said that he has introduced his proposed legislative measures in the 19th Congress that would help improve and expand access to public healthcare services.

Among the bills filed by Go are Senate Bill (SB) 198, which seeks to provide free annual medical check-up to all Filipinos and SB 190 which provides a comprehensive dialysis benefit package to all PhilHealth members.

Go also introduced SB 421, which establishes the Emergency Medical Services Systems Council to create national standards for the delivery of emergency medical services.

The senator likewise introduced SB 425, which amends the Insurance Code to subject Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) to the provisions of the Code that are not explicitly stated under Executive Order (EO) No. 192, series of 2015. This was done to enable stricter oversight of HMOs and thereby increase public safety.

Go has also refiled SB 427, which will grant barangay health workers access to a monthly honorarium of P3,000, other allowances, benefits, and privileges, as well as tenure security, in an effort to advance the welfare of the nation's healthcare workers.

The senator likewise reintroduced SB 191, or the Advanced Nursing Education Bill, to establish a foundational nursing education program that will give nursing students the skills they need to practice safe, high-quality nursing at the entry level.

Go also refiled SB 195, creating the Center for Disease Control and Prevention; and SB 196, creating the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP).

The senator has also reintroduced SB 188 which aims to establish a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR). The said measure seeks to create a highly specialized agency that will be tasked with ensuring adaptive, disaster-resilient and safe communities.

Go also refiled SB 193 mandating the establishment of an evacuation center in every city, province and municipality throughout the country which shall provide basic needs and assistance to all evacuees. Meanwhile, SBN 192 seeks to expand access to affordable housing and help families displaced by disasters by offering them subsidies so they can temporarily relocate during the interim process of construction.

Go went on to say that he expects President Marcos who also heads the Department of Agriculture (DA), to discuss food security in the country and the development of the agricultural sector. Additionally, he hopes the President will tackle plans on continuing the "Build, Build, Build" initiative started by former President Duterte.

Go then gave the assurance that he would continue to assist the government in maintaining the progress made by the preceding administration and filling in the gaps to enhance the provision of services to all Filipinos.

“Together and united as one hopeful Filipino nation, we will build on the successes that are already happening in our country, continue to make the lives of our people more comfortable, and ensure that no Filipino will be left behind in our road towards fuller recovery,” he stressed.