IN response to the pressing needs of displaced workers in Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s office, in coordination with Mayor Dante Esteban, organized a relief activity on Friday, June 7. Go is considered an adopted son of the province.
Addressing the unique challenges faced by the community, Go’s Malasakit Team distributed snacks, vitamins, basketballs, volleyballs, and shirts to a total of 111 beneficiaries at the Calintaan Municipal Gym. Select beneficiaries also received shoes and a mobile phone.
This targeted relief effort aligns with Go’s broader initiatives aimed at supporting disadvantaged communities throughout the country.
After completing the Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program, the beneficiaries were also provided with support through temporary employment.
“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,” he said.
To promote inclusive development and economic recovery, Go has introduced Senate Bill No. 420, aimed at creating a system that offers temporary jobs to qualified individuals from economically disadvantaged families in rural areas. This bill proposes the establishment of the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) to offer temporary employment opportunities to individuals who meet the criteria of being economically disadvantaged, impoverished, displaced, or seasonal workers if enacted into law.
Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, highlighted his continuous efforts to make government health services more accessible to Filipinos. He then encouraged residents to make use of the Malasakit Centers for assistance in managing their hospital expenses.
The Malasakit Center in the province is located at Occidental Mindoro Provincial Hospital. There are 165 Malasakit centers nationwide that have helped more or less ten million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
“Kung mayroon po kayong karamdaman, halimbawa masakit ang dibdib ninyo, at kailangan n’yo pong magpaospital at kailangan n’yo pong magpaopera sa Maynila tulad sa Philippine Heart Center, magsabi lang po kayo. Tutulungan ho namin kayong magpaopera, pati pamasahe po ninyo tutulungan ho namin kayo,” Go said.
The senator is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
“Hinding-hindi ko po sasayangin yung pagkakataong ibinigay nyo po sa akin. Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino. At iyan po ang pwede kong i-alay sa inyo, ang aking bisyo sa pagseserbisyo,” said Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.
