SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, known as Mr. Malasakit for his support for various livelihood programs, sent his Malasakit Team to assist displaced workers in Laurel, Batangas, on Friday, September 13. The relief effort was conducted in partnership with Mayor Lyndon Bruce and Vice Mayor Aristotle Parrilla and aimed to provide assistance to the town’s disadvantaged workers.
In a message, Go, who has familial roots in Batangas under the Tesoro clan and is an adopted son of CALABARZON, emphasized that through collaborative efforts, more programs that directly benefit the people of Batangas and the entire region can be realized.
The event, held at the municipal gymnasium, saw 550 beneficiaries receive essential items such as snacks, shirts, masks, basketballs and volleyballs from Go. Select recipients were also given new pairs of shoes and a mobile phone.
In addition to the relief goods, beneficiaries received further livelihood assistance following their participation in the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program. Senator Go expressed his gratitude to DOLE for its continuous efforts to help Filipinos in need, particularly during these challenging times.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa DOLE at sa programa ng TUPAD na malaking tulong sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa mga panahong ito ng pagsubok,” Go remarked.
“Ang mga programang tulad ng TUPAD ay naglalayong bigyan ng pansamantalang hanapbuhay ang ating mga kababayan na nangangailangan, at kasabay nito, tumutulong din ito sa mga komunidad na kanilang pinaglilingkuran.”
Through this program that Go advocated for, beneficiaries in Laurel were engaged in various community projects, equipping them with skills and experience that could help them secure more stable jobs in the future.
Go took the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to supporting his fellow Batangueños. He emphasized the importance of government programs that aim to uplift the lives of Filipinos, especially those in rural and underserved areas.
“Dahil bisyo ko po ang magserbisyo, hinihikayat ko po na patuloy po tayong magtulungan upang ang bawat pamilya sa Batangas at sa buong CALABARZON ay makabangon at umasenso,” he shared.
Senator Go also highlighted his proposed Senate Bill No. 420, which seeks to institutionalize the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) under DOLE. This program, if enacted, would provide temporary employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged individuals, offering them a pathway toward financial stability and self-sufficiency.
Go further reassured the residents of Laurel and the whole province of Batangas, stating, “Patuloy kong susuportahan ang bayan ng Laurel at ang buong probinsya ng Batangas sa abot ng aking makakaya. Nandito po ako upang makinig at maglingkod, at sisikapin kong maiparating ang mga programa at serbisyong kinakailangan ng kapwa ko Batangueño.”
