SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, adopted son of CALABARZON and has familial ties to the Tesoro clan of Batangas, assisted disadvantaged workers in Nasugbu, Batangas on Wednesday, November 6.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also provided support to said beneficiaries after they had completed the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program for temporary employment to qualified beneficiaries.
“Sa totoo lang po, ‘wag po kayong magpasalamat sa amin. Kami po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan n’yo kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyo. Kaya hinding-hindi ko sasayangin ang pagkakataon na ibinigay ninyo sa akin. Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino sa abot ng aking makakaya,” Go encouraged in a message.
Go also emphasized the importance of protecting the welfare of disadvantaged workers, particularly those in rural areas who require additional employment opportunities.
In response, the lawmaker filed Senate Bill No. 420, which advocates for setting up a framework to offer short-term job opportunities for qualified individuals from low-income rural families. If enacted, the bill proposes the creation of the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) to primarily focus on providing temporary employment options to those who qualify based on economic hardship, poverty, displacement, or reliance on seasonal work.
“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,” Go said.
Held at Brgy. Banilad Covered Court, Go’s Malasakit Team coordinated with Board Member Armie Bausas and gave a total of 50 disadvantaged workers snacks, masks, shirts, vitamins, fans, and basketballs and volleyballs. There were also select recipients of shoes.
Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography also urged the community to utilize the medical support available at any of the Malasakit Centers within the province, specifically at the Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City and the Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery.
First established in 2018, the Malasakit Centers are designed to be one-stop shops for medical assistance programs offered by concerned agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
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 active centers have assisted over 15 million Filipinos across the country, as reported by the DOH.
“Hinding-hindi ko po sasayangin ‘yung pagkakataong ibinigay n’yo po sa akin. Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino. At iyan po ang pwede kong i-alay sa inyo, ang aking bisyo sa pagseserbisyo,” ended Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his dedication to serving Filipinos in need.
