ON Monday, January 29, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go‘s Malasakit Team collaborated with Congresswoman Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong to extend support to displaced workers in La Libertad, Negros Oriental.
The aid activity was held at the Barangay Martillo covered court in La Liberated, where 99 validated displaced workers were in attendance. All beneficiaries received snacks, masks, shirts, vitamins, and balls for basketball and volleyball, while select recipients received shoes and a mobile phone.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) distributed livelihood support after said displaced workers qualified and completed the agency’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
“Sa panahon ngayon, patuloy lang po ang ating pagbabayanihan, mga kababayan ko. Kami po sa gobyerno ay patuloy na gagawa ng mga paraan upang mabalik ang sigla ng ating ekonomiya,” said Go in a video message.
“Asahan niyo po na ako naman ay patuloy niyong magiging kasangga sa Senado at magseserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya,” he said.
Go commended the DOLE for effectively implementing various assistance programs, such as TUPAD, which has significantly contributed to supporting individuals whose jobs have been impacted by crises. He likewise maintained his support, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing the needs of the economically challenged community.
“Patuloy po tayong magtutulungan upang mas mapabuti pa ang kalagayan ng ating mga disadvantaged at displaced workers. Magkasama tayo sa layuning ito na makabuo ng mas ligtas at mas matatag na lipunan para sa lahat ng Pilipino,” he added.
Meanwhile, Go has filed Senate Bill No. 420 to establish a system for providing short-term employment to eligible individuals from underprivileged households in rural regions. Within the framework of this proposed measure. Under the parameters of this proposed legislation, DOLE would establish the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP).
If enacted into law, the primary objective of REAP is to offer temporary employment opportunities to individuals who meet the criteria of being economically disadvantaged, impoverished, displaced, or seasonal workers.
Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography highlighted the Malasakit Center at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital in Dumaguete City. These centers are designed to enhance the accessibility of medical assistance programs for poor and indigent Filipinos.
The Malasakit Center operates as a one stop shop, consolidating medical assistance programs from various agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
With 159 Malasakit Centers established nationwide, its primary objective is to aid especially the needy and disadvantaged patients by minimizing their hospital expenses as much as possible.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program, and according to the DOH, it has already helped more or less ten million Filipinos.
Meanwhile, Go shared that there will also be Super Health Centers nationwide. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated for more than 700 Super Health Centers. DOH, led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, is the lead implementing agency that identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed. In the province, there are a total of six Super Health Centers funded.
Super Health Centers focuses on primary care, consultations, and early disease detection, enhancing the healthcare sector, particularly in underserved communities. Free consultations would be handled by municipal health offices, local government units, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation through its Konsulta program.
The senator also emphasized the significance of the recently passed RA 11959. As the principal sponsor and one of its authors, the Regional Specialty Centers Act mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals to bring specialized medical care closer to communities.
ldAs vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported other initiatives in the province, including the acquisition of ambulance units for local hospitals in Dumaguete City, Siaton, Mabinay, Bayawan City, and Guihulngan City; road rehabilitation in Amlan, Ayungon, Bayawan City, Bindoy, and Santa Catalina; construction of various infrastructure projects, including the Super Health Center in Guihulngan City; and multipurpose buildings in Guihulngan City, Vallehermoso, and Pamplona.
