SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go provided various assistance to displaced workers in Quezon City. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to uplift the lives of Filipinos in distress who are affected by economic concerns.
Go’s Malasakit Team, in collaboration with Barangay Captain Virgilio Leo Ferrer, distributed snacks, masks, shirts, vitamins, and basketballs to 44 beneficiaries in Brgy. UP Village on Wednesday, May 15. Some select recipients received shoes.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also conducted an orientation for qualified beneficiaries, who were introduced to DOLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program. The program aims to provide temporary employment assistance for those in need.
“Sa pamamagitan ng programa na ito, ang gobyerno ay tumutulong sa mga manggagawang naapektuhan ng krisis at nakakapagbigay ng pansamantalang trabaho sa kanila,” Go said in a video message.
“Patuloy po tayong magtutulungan upang mas mapabuti pa ang kalagayan ng ating mga disadvantaged at displaced workers. Magkasama tayo sa layuning ito na makabuo ng mas ligtas at mas matatag na lipunan para sa lahat ng Pilipino,” he added.
To further promote the welfare of Filipino workers affected by crises and ensure that those who reside in rural areas lacking job opportunities are taken care of, Go filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 420, which seeks to offer temporary employment to eligible members of low-income rural households. Under the proposed legislation, the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) would be created within the DOLE.
If this bill is enacted into law, REAP’s primary objective would be to offer temporary job opportunities to individuals who meet the criteria for economic disadvantage, poverty, displacement, or seasonal employment.
Meanwhile, Go urged the residents to utilize the services of Malasakit Centers for medical assistance they might need. He said there are 11 Malasakit Centers across the city in case they need medical-related assistance for expenses in public hospitals.
Initiated by Go in 2018, the Malasakit Centers program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which he principally authored and sponsored in the Senate.
Malasakit Centers in Quezon City are located at the Lung Center of the Philippines, Novaliches District Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC), Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), Philippine Orthopedic Center, National Children’s Hospital, Philippine National Police General Hospital, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC).
There are now 165 Malasakit Centers nationwide that have helped more or less ten million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go’s dedication to local development is further evident in his support for various infrastructure projects in Quezon City. He has supported several projects, including the construction of multipurpose buildings, rehabilitation of roads, improvement of drainages, and rehabilitation of flood control structures in several barangays.
He also supported the repair of Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center Road Network and the acquisition of an ambulance, a dump truck, and four multicabs. Lastly, he also helped secure funding for the vertical expansion of the new emergency building at the Philippine Heart Center and the rehabilitation building at the Philippine Orthopedic Center.
The senator, also known as Mr. Malasakit, vowed to continue serving the Filipino people to the best of his capacity. “Ilapit natin ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa mga nangangailangan nito lalo na pagdating sa kalusugan ng mga mahihirap nating kababayan. Patuloy kaming 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,” he ended.
