SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go remains committed to helping more Filipino workers who lost their jobs due to various crises, as his Malasakit Team conducted a distribution activity for 906 displaced workers in Las Piñas City on Monday, May 20.
The Malasakit Team of Go carried out the relief on the Verdant Covered Court. The beneficiaries received snacks, grocery packs, vitamins, masks, and shirts, while there were some recipients of balls for basketball and volleyball, shoes, a mobile phone, a watch, and a bicycle.
Through Go’s support, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) oriented the qualified recipients of its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, where they are allowed to render community service.
“Nandirito po tayo para sa programang TUPAD na ating isinulong noon na mabigyan po kayo ng pansamantalang trabaho. Para at least makapag-adjust po muna tayo. Bigyan po natin ng pagpupugay ang ating mga empleyado ng DOLE sa programang TUPAD. Palakpakan po natin silang muli. Salamat po sa inyong lahat,” Go expressed during a video call.
He was dubbed as ‘Mr. Malasakit’ for his consistent, compassionate service to people experiencing poverty, Go also filed Senate Bill No. 420, which aims to institutionalize a Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP). If enacted, the primary objective of REAP is to furnish temporary employment avenues for individuals meeting specific criteria, including economic hardship, poverty, displacement, or reliance on seasonal employment.
To further alleviate the financial strain on Filipino families, Go also co-authored and co-sponsored SBN 2534, which aims to raise the daily minimum wage by P100 across the country. “Sa nagdaang taon, marami sa mga kababayan natin ang nawalan ng trabaho dahil sa pandemya. Mandato nating nasa gobyerno ang alagaan ang kapakapan ng ating mga mamamayan, lalo na ng mga ordinaryong Pilipino, yung mga daily wage earners,” cited Go.
As the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go offered additional assistance to the beneficiaries as he informed them that they may seek medical attention at Las Piñas City General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center in the city where there is a Malasakit Center ready to assist them with their hospital expenses.
Established in 2018, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where it brings together the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to provide poor and indigent patients with accessible access to medical assistance programs from the government.
“Mayroon na ho tayong 165 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong po sa mga poor and indigent patients,” said Go, who principally authored and sponsored the Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
He then concluded his message by expressing gratitude towards Mayor Imelda Mel Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery for their exceptional service in helping their constituents.
“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,” ended Go.
On the same day, Go was in Navotas City where he assisted more displaced workers and also indigents, in partnership with fellow Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and the local government.
