SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, in partnership with Vice Mayor Juan Ariela Arganosa Jr., extended livelihood support to displaced workers in Majayjay, Laguna, through his Malasakit Team on Wednesday, January 15.
The displaced workers successfully completed the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, aimed at providing temporary employment to Filipinos in need.
“Mahirap po ang panahon ngayon, marami pang apektado ng iba’t ibang krisis na hindi pa nakakabalik sa trabaho. Palakpakan natin ang ating DOLE sa programang ito,” said Go, commending DOLE for its dedication to assisting Filipino workers in need.
To better support Filipino workers impacted by crises and to provide for those in rural areas facing a scarcity of employment opportunities, Senator Go introduced Senate Bill No. 420. This proposed legislation aims to establish the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) to provide temporary jobs to qualified individuals from low-income rural families, who are prepared to engage in unskilled manual labor for a certain duration.
To further ease the financial burden on Filipino families, Senator Go also co-authored and co-sponsored SBN 2534, which aims to raise the daily minimum wage by P100 nationwide.
The gathering was conducted at the Majayjay Municipal Hall. A total of 47 beneficiaries expressed their gratitude as Senator Go’s Malasakit Team also distributed essential items such as snacks, vitamins, masks, shirts, basketballs, and volleyballs. Select beneficiaries also received shoes and a mobile phone.
Furthermore, as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography and a health reforms crusader, Senator Go also encouraged the residents to take advantage of the Malasakit Centers for their medical needs.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop designed to streamline medical assistance programs from various government agencies, ensuring that Filipinos can access medical assistance to overcome the financial burden of healthcare costs.
Senator Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
As of now, 166 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The Department of Health reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than 15 million Filipinos.
In Laguna, Malasakit Centers are located at Laguna Medical Center in Sta. Cruz and San Pablo City General Hospital.
“Patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” concluded Senator Go.
