SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go’s Malasakit Team, in coordination with Governor Damian Mercado and Mayor Sheffered Tan, provided much-needed assistance to displaced workers in Sogod, Southern Leyte, on Monday, October 28.
In a video message, Go reiterated his support for efforts done by the government to uplift the poor and provide more livelihood opportunities in grassroots communities.
“Sa gitna ng ating mga pagsubok, nais kong ipaabot ang aking taos-pusong suporta at pag-asa para sa inyong lahat. Ang pamahalaan ay patuloy na gumagawa ng mga programang pro-poor upang matulungan ang bawat isa sa inyo, lalo na ang mga nawalan ng trabaho,” affirmed Go.
“Huwag kayong mawalan ng pag-asa, sapagkat kami ay narito upang sumuporta at magserbisyo sa inyo. Patuloy tayong magkaisa at magtulungan, sapagkat ang ating layunin ay upang mapabuti ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Ang bisyo ko ay magserbisyo, at kasama ninyo ako sa bawat hakbang ng ating pagbangon,” he further encouraged.
Dubbed Mr. Malasakit for his compassion towards impoverished individuals, Go filed Senate Bill No. 420 to establish a short-term employment program for eligible individuals from underprivileged households. This proposed measure would create the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) with the primary objective of providing temporary employment opportunities to individuals who qualify as economically disadvantaged, impoverished, displaced, or seasonal workers.
To further ease the financial burden on Filipino families, Go also co-authored and co-sponsored SBN 2534, which aims to raise the daily minimum wage by P100 nationwide.
During their visit, Go’s Malasakit Team assisted 213 displaced workers gathered at Barangay Mahayahay gym and provided them with snacks, shirts, basketballs, and volleyballs. Shoes were also given to select recipients.
With the support of the senator and local officials, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) offered temporary employment to the workers through its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
“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.
As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go then discussed his priority healthcare initiatives, including the Malasakit Centers, which have reached a milestone by adding more than 15 million Filipinos, according to Department of Health (DOH) data.
He is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. There are now 166 Malasakit Centers nationwide. In Southern Leyte, Malasakit Center is located at Salvacion Oppus Yniguez Memorial Provincial Hospital in Maasin City.
Additionally, Go advocated establishing Super Health Centers nationwide to bring primary care, consultations, and early disease detection closer to communities. Through the concerted efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, the DOH, led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and local government units, adequate funding was allocated for establishing more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide, including six in Southern Leyte.
“Ilapit natin ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa mga nangangailangan nito. Ako naman ay patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo,” he concluded.
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