ON Thursday, June 13, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s Malasakit Team assisted displaced workers in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.
“Sa gitna ng ating mga pagsubok, nais kong ipaabot ang aking taos-pusong suporta at pag-asa para sa inyong lahat. Ako ay patuloy na sumusporta sa mga programang pro-poor upang matulungan ang bawat isa sa inyo, lalo na ang mga nawalan ng trabaho,” affirmed Go in a video message.
Held at the Mega Gym, Dao in Pagadian City, the Malasakit Team assisted 4,247 displaced workers from the first and second districts of the city and provided them with shirts, basketballs, and volleyballs. There were also select recipients of shoes, a bike, and a watch.
Moreover, through the initiative of Gov. Victor Yu and Congw. Divine Yu, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) conducted a Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program orientation for the qualified beneficiaries.
The senator took the opportunity to commend DOLE for their proactive approach to addressing the challenges faced by disadvantaged and displaced workers. The TUPAD program, initiated by DOLE and supported by Go, aims to provide emergency employment and livelihood opportunities to those who have lost their jobs or sources of income due to crises.
Additionally, Go has filed Senate Bill No. 420 to establish a short-term employment program for eligible individuals from underprivileged households. This proposed measure would create the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) under DOLE.
If enacted, REAP’s primary objective would be to provide temporary employment opportunities to individuals who qualify as economically disadvantaged, impoverished, displaced, or seasonal workers.
To further ease the financial burden on Filipino families, Go also co-authored and co-sponsored SBN 2534, which aims to raise the daily minimum wage by P100 nationwide.
Recognizing the importance of accessible and affordable healthcare services, Senator Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, has consistently promoted the Malasakit Center’s use as a one-stop shop for medical assistance programs and encourages the residents to visit the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center in the city and Margosatubig Regional Hospital in Margosatubig.
The Malasakit Center, initiated by Go in 2018, aims to streamline the process of availing medical assistance programs by bringing together concerned government agencies under one roof.
The DOH reported that more or less ten million Filipinos benefitted from the 165 Malasakit Centers nationwide. Go principally authored and sponsored Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
“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, dahil bisyo ko po ang magserbisyo,” said Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.
