Go shows solidarity with barangay leaders

SEN. Bong Go said that barangay (village) leaders, whom he described as «superstars in public service,» play a role in strengthening local governance.

Go attended the Liga ng mga Barangay National Congress on Saturday led by LNB president Maria Katrina Jessica Dy from Isabela.

«You are superstars in your own right, especially in public service in your communities,» he told the local officials.

The event brought together barangay officials from Antique, Cebu Province, Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bacolod City, Cagayan, Quirino, Batanes, Nueva Vizcaya, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Zamboanga del Sur.

In his message, Go expressed solidarity and praised barangay leaders for «their dedication, especially amid challenging times.»

He raised the importance of supporting barangay officials to improve governance at the grassroots level.

«The only thing I can offer you is my service,» Go said in Filipino. He said he had «deep-rooted connection» with barangay officials as he shared his experiences working with them when he worked for then Davao City mayor and former president Rodrigo Duterte.

«You know [when I was still] at the Davao City hall, it is the barangay captains, barangay councilors that I meet early in the morning until evening,» he said. «They are the ones who shared the problems [of their constituents or communities] — fire incidents, flood, enmity in the village, hospital bills. You are the ones who really bring service to our countrymen.»