SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go had his Malasakit Team provide further support to displaced workers in Barangay 598, Sta. Mesa, Manila City.
In a message, Go mentioned that he introduced Senate Bill No. 420 to cater to the requirements of people residing in rural areas with scarce employment opportunities. The proposed legislation offers temporary job opportunities to eligible individuals from low-income rural households willing to participate in unskilled physical labor for a specified duration, pending the bill’s enactment into law.
Furthermore, it would create the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) under the supervision of the Department of Labor and Employment. REAP’s main objective is to provide temporary jobs subject to certain criteria, including economic challenges, poverty, job loss, or seasonal work availability.
“Patuloy po tayong magtulungan upang mas mapabuti pa ang kalagayan ng ating mga disadvantaged at displaced workers. Magkasama tayo sa layuning ito na makabuo ng mas maginhawa at mas matatag na lipunan para sa lahat ng Pilipino,” Mr. Malasakit, Go said.
In coordination with the Pioneer Group of Senior Citizens of Manila, the senator’s Malasakit Team provided 220 displaced workers with masks, vitamins, shirts, snacks, and basketball and volleyball balls. They also gave away shoes and a mobile phone to select recipients. The relief activity was held at the barangay hall on Thursday, March 7.
Meanwhile, DOLE conducted an orientation for their Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
“Sa pamamagitan ng programa na ito, ang gobyerno ay tumutulong sa mga manggagawang naapektuhan ng krisis at nakapagbibigay ng pansamantalang trabaho sa kanila,” Go said in a video message.
Go commended the DOLE for effectively implementing various assistance programs, such as TUPAD, which has significantly contributed to supporting individuals whose jobs have been impacted by crises.
Head of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go underscored the importance of accessible and affordable healthcare as he urged the residents to visit any of the five Malasakit Centers in the city, ready to help Manileños with their medical-related expenses.
The Malasakit Centers are located at Tondo Medical Hospital, Philippine General Hospital, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Hospital, and San Lazaro Hospital.
The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, principally authored and sponsored by Go, mandates all Department of Health-run hospitals and the Philippine General Hospital in Manila City to establish their centers to provide convenient access to medical assistance programs offered by the government.
To date, more than ten million Filipinos have benefitted from the 161 operational Malasakit Centers nationwide. “Ang target po ng Malasakit Center ay ma-cover ang inyong billing. Kaya huwag po kayong mahihiyang lumapit sa Malasakit Center dahil para po yan sa inyo, mga kababayan kong Pilipino,” Go said.
Go also mentioned that he supported funding four Super Health Centers in the city. Through the collective efforts of DOH, LGUs, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds were allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022, 322 in 2023, and 132 in 2024.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, the senator also advocated for several infrastructure initiatives, including the rehabilitation of roads in several barangays, structural improvement of public buildings, evacuation center construction, medical and educational supplies, ambulances, multipurpose vehicles, and surveillance systems, and installing solar-powered street lights.
