SENATOR Christopher ‘Bong’ T. Go, adopted son of CALABARZON with familial roots in Batangas as part of the Tesoro clan, provided assistance to his fellow Batangueños in Santa Teresita on Tuesday, January 23.
In coordination with Mayor Noverto ‘Boy’ Segunial and Vice Mayor Marie Segunial, the Malasakit Team distributed snacks, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball to 338 displaced workers in attendance at the municipal covered court. They also distributed shoes to select recipients.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also conducted an orientation for those eligible for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers 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 Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) which has significantly contributed to supporting individuals whose jobs have been impacted by crisis situations. He likewise maintained his support, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing the needs of the economically challenged community.
“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.
Meanwhile, Go earlier filed Senate Bill No. 420 to enhance support for Filipino workers affected by crises and to assist those in rural areas experiencing a shortage of job opportunities. This proposed legislation shall establish the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) under DOLE, which aims 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.
In line with his priority as the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go principally authored and sponsored Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 to ensure that indigent and financially incapacitated Filipinos will be provided convenient access to medical assistance programs available for them.
The senator committed to support the continued operations and expansion of the Malasakit Centers program. Since it was first established in 2018, the program has already established 159 Malasakit Centers and it has helped more or less ten million Filipinos nationwide, according to Department of Health (DOH).
In Batangas, residents may avail of medical assistance from the Malasakit Centers located at Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City and the Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery.
Furthermore, Go also highlighted that more than 700 Super Health Centers are funded nationwide. Through the collective efforts of DOH, local government units and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022, 322 in 2023, and 132 in 2024.
DOH, led by Secretary Teodoro ‘Ted’ Herbosa, is the lead implementing agency that identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed.
Super Health Centers offer basic health services and are designed to focus on primary care, consultation, and early detection, further strengthening the healthcare sector in the country, especially in grassroots communities.
Go also highlighted RA 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate. The Regional Specialty Centers Act plays a pivotal role in the healthcare legislative agenda of the Marcos administration, as detailed in the Philippine Development Plan 2023 to 2028. The said law mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals.
To further give the province a boost, Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the rehabilitation of the construction of multipurpose buildings in Alitagtag, Batangas City, Ibaan, Lemery, Lipa City, Mabini, San Jose, San Juan, San Luis, San Nicolas, Santo Tomas, and Taal; the concretion of farm-to-market roads in Agoncillo, Laurel, Nasugbu, and Tuy; the acquisition of ambulance units in Ibaan and Lemery; and the acquisition of multipurpose vehicles in Lipa City and San Juan.
