Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and ex officio member of the Board of Directors of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) representing the Senate, expressed his full support for the proposed 2026 budget of MinDA during the agency’s budget deliberation on Wednesday, October 8.
Emphasizing his identity as a proud Mindanaoan, Go underscored the importance of ensuring that Mindanao’s vast potential is harnessed equitably for all Filipinos.
“As the ex officio member of MinDA’s Board of Directors representing the Senate, I extend my support for the budget of the Mindanao Development Authority,” Go declared who will sponsor the proposed budget of MinDA.
“MinDA is the primary agency responsible for coordinating and integrating development efforts that will bring about accelerated socio-economic development of Mindanao, kaya nararapat lamang na suportahan natin ang bawat hakbangin na makatutulong upang mapabilis ang pag-unlad ng ating mga kababayan sa Mindanao.”
Go, who hails from Davao and traces his roots to both Mindanao and Batangas, reflected on the historical and cultural richness of the region. “Ako rin po’y taga-Mindanao, laking Mindanao, Bisaya na taga-Davao, tubong Davao Oriental, nahaluan ng Batangueño. Alam ninyo ang Mindanao, which used to be known as the land of promise. Maraming taga-Batangas, taga-Cebu, pumunta ng Davao, Mindanao, nag-migrate doon, doon na nagka-pamilya,” he recounted.
He reminded his colleagues that Mindanao’s progress is crucial to the country’s overall development, stressing that no region should be left behind. “Ang ayaw lang natin dito, maiwan ang Mindanao sa development,” Go emphasized, recalling the fairness of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s governance during his term from 2016 to 2022.
Go also highlighted the historical injustices and inequities endured by the people of Mindanao, reiterating the need for continuous reform towards inclusive growth.
“Mindanao and its people have suffered decades of injustice and social inequity. The government must continuously strive to bring about the much-needed reform and development in the Mindanao region and ensure just, inclusive, and lasting peace in the area,” he said.
He recalled that under the leadership of former President Duterte, peace and development were top priorities that led to the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
“As a Mindanaoan and Davaoeño, alam ko po na napakalaki ng potential ng Mindanao kaya nga ito tinawag na ‘Land of Promise.’ As your Senator, patuloy ko pong tututukan ang pag-unlad ng Mindanao, kahit isang boto lamang po ako rito, ngunit ipaglalaban ko po ang kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan sa Mindanao,” Go affirmed.
As Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Go cited major health initiatives implemented in the region, including the establishment of 44 Malasakit Centers across Mindanao—part of the 167 centers nationwide.
Go also highlighted his support for numerous projects in Mindanao, including those in the University of the Philippines Mindanao, sports facilities, public markets, and government offices. “Di ko na po mabilang sa aking mga kamay ‘yung mga proyektong sinuportahan natin… marami pa pong iba,” he said.
Among the most notable projects of the Duterte administration that he also mentioned was the Panguil Bay Bridge, which connects Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte.
“Ito pong Panguil Bay Bridge connecting Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte, noon po tatlong oras ‘yan… Ngayon po, ten minutes, makakarating ka na po,” Go shared.
“The bridge, which was recently inaugurated, is one of the flagship projects under the Build, Build, Build program and is now dubbed as the longest sea-crossing bridge in Mindanao.”
He recounted how then-president Duterte decided to continue the project despite not winning in the area. “Sabi ni then President Duterte, hindi. Para sa akin, tapos na ang eleksyon, 2016, trabaho na tayo. Patuloy ‘yan, Pilipino dapat makikinabang. Wala akong pinipiling lugar. ‘Yun po ang ginawa n’ya, hindi lang sa Mindanao, pati sa Visayas, at sa Luzon. Pantay-pantay po ang pagtrato n’ya,” Go added.
Go acknowledged MinDA’s significant role in sustaining Mindanao’s development. “Sana patuloy ang pag-unlad ng Mindanao sa tulong ng mga ahensya na nakatutok dito tulad ng MinDA. Napakahalaga po ng MinDA,” he stated.
He cited the agency’s accomplishments, including the Mindanao Development Corridors, the Mindanao Peace and Development Program, and its support for the Brunei–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
During the pandemic, Go recognized MinDA’s efforts under the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program, which helped families return to their provinces and ease congestion in Metro Manila. “Hirap na hirap po ang ating mga kababayan na makabalik po sa probinsya… kaya nag-avail po sila ng programang ito, at malaki po ang assistance na ginawa ng ating MinDA,” he said.
He also asked for updates on key infrastructure projects such as the Mindanao Railway Project, which aims to link major cities and stimulate regional trade and tourism.
Likewise, he is one of the authors of Republic Act No. 11708, which established the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MDDA), and urged MinDA to help ensure its full implementation.
“Bilang isang taga-Davao Oriental rin po, malaki po ang potential ng ating turismo rin sa Mati, kaya po patuloy nating isinusulong at suportahan po ‘yung airport sa Mati, Davao Oriental,” he said.
“It will help decongest rin po the Davao International Airport, at direcho na sila doon, mga turista, napakaganda po ng mga beaches doon, aside from sa Island Garden (City) of Samal.”
Go concluded his manifestation by calling for collective effort to sustain peace and progress in Mindanao.“Let us work together and do what we can for the benefit of our brothers and sisters in Mindanao,” he said, ending his statement with, “Daghang salamat, at sa mga kapatid kong Muslim, Assalamu Alaykum.”
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