THE Malasakit Team of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go collaborated with Mayor Laurence Marxlen “Toto” dela Cruz to deliver assistance to displaced workers in Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental on Thursday, December 7.
The distribution activity was held at the municipal gymnasium, where 191 displaced workers received snacks, shirts, masks, and vitamins from the senator. Select recipients also received pairs of shoes and mobile phones.
Furthermore, after qualifying for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, the recipients were provided with temporary employment assistance by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
DOLE’s TUPAD program provides opportunities to individuals facing economic hardships and is designed to provide emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed, and seasonal laborers.
“Nakikiusap po ako sa kapwa ko lingkod bayan na focus tayo sa pagbibigay ng trabaho sa ating mga kababayan. Lalo na po yung mga walang-wala at malubhang naapektuhan ng mga krisis,” Go urged.
Meanwhile, Go has filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 420, which aims 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, a program called the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) would be created under DOLE.
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, urged individuals facing health issues to utilize the services offered at the Malasakit Centers located at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City.
Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount.
The Malasakit Centers program was initiated by Go in 2018 and was later institutionalized through Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which he principally authored and sponsored.
Currently, 159 operational Malasakit Centers nationwide are ready to offer support for patients’ medical costs. The DOH has reported that the Malasakit Center program has already extended assistance to over ten million Filipinos.
The senator also supported the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers and local government units, sufficient funds have been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 Super Health Centers in 2023. DOH, the lead implementing agency, identifies strategic areas where these centers will be built.
Go took note of RA 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which he principally sponsored and was one of the authors in the Senate. The objective of this Act is to set up Regional Specialty Centers within the existing regional hospitals under the DOH.
To further support the development of the province, Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, also supported several initiatives in the province. Among these are the construction of a revetment, multi-purpose public facilities, and several road maintenance initiatives in Bacolod City; and the construction of a multi-purpose building and concreting of a local road in the town of Don Salvador Benedicto.
Other initiatives that Go pushed for include the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Calatrava and Himamaylan City; road maintenance in Bago City; and construction of a new infectious diseases wing at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City.
Displaced workers in Victorias City received similar aid from the Malasakit Team last December 1.
