DURING his visit to Tarlac on Sunday, April 28, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally assisted displaced workers from Sta. Ignacia, San Clemente, and Mayontac gathered at the New Auditorium in Barangay Poblacion West in Sta. Ignacia.
In his remarks, Go highlighted the collective efforts of the local government, led by Governor Susan Yap, Vice Governor Carlito “Casada” David, Sta. Ignacia Mayor Nora Modomo and Vice Mayor Nathaniel Tan, San Clemente Mayor Elma Macadamia, and Mayantoc Mayor Iluminado Pobre Jr., among others, for their efforts and shared vision to ensure the welfare of their constituents, especially for those adversely affected by economic challenges.
“Kahit na Linggo po magtatrabaho ako para sa Pilipino. Wala talaga akong piling araw sa pagtatrabaho. Magseserbisyo po ako sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aking makakaya. Iyan po ang pwedeng kong ialay sa inyo, ang aking kasipagan sa pagtatrabaho,” Go expressed.
A total of 348 displaced workers were assisted, such as grocery packs, meals, vitamins, masks, and shirts. The senator also gave away basketball and volleyball balls, shoes, bicycles, mobile phones, and a watch to select recipients.
Meanwhile, staff from the province’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO), representing the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), held an orientation for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged / Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program. Additional 152 beneficiaries will also be oriented for the same program in the coming days.
“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.
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.
Earlier that day, Go visited the projects he supported as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance in Paniqui, such as the inauguration of the town’s public market and Super Health Center.
As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go emphasized the critical role that Super Health Centers play in decongesting hospitals, facilitating early disease detection, and providing essential healthcare services such as primary care and medical consultations directly to the community.
Apart from Paniqui, Go also advocated funding a Super Health Center in Sta. Ignacia. In total, there are 17 Super Health Centers in the province as part of the 700 centers funded nationwide through the efforts of Go, the DOH, LGUs and fellow lawmakers.
Furthermore, there is a Malasakit Center in Tarlac Provincial Hospital in Tarlac City as part of Senator Go’s advocacy to make government assistance programs more accessible to Filipinos, especially indigents.
Functioning as a one-stop shop, the Malasakit Center facilitates access to medical assistance from various government agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, DOH, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Go principally authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. There are now 163 Malasakit Centers established nationwide, which have assisted more than ten million Filipinos, as reported by the DOH.
After his visit to Paniqui and Santa Ignacia, Go met with student-athletes during the Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association Meet in San Jose.
