SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go continues to give support to small business owners nationwide who have been adversely affected by various crises including the global pandemic, recognizing that fostering the growth of small businesses contributes not only to individual livelihoods but also to the country’s overall economic recovery.
Go’s team, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), provided assistance to micro-entrepreneurs at the Activity Hall of Barangay Big Margus in Glan, Sarangani on Friday, November 17. A total of 15 individuals received masks, vitamins, shirts, snacks, and balls for basketball and volleyball from the senator while select recipients were given shoes and a watch.
DTI also provided livelihood kits to qualified beneficiaries to empower them to kick-start their small businesses and promote economic growth in their community.
“Ang programang ito ay ating isinulong noon at sinusuportahan ang implementasyon ngayon para maipagpatuloy ang pagtulong sa ating maliliit na negosyante na naapektuhan ng sakuna at krisis,” Go said.
“Tuturuan ang mga benepisyaryo na magnegosyo at bibigyan ng negosyo kits para palaguin ito. Masarap sa pakiramdam kapag pinaghirapan at pinagpawisan mo ang iyong negosyo at napalago mo ito. Ang maayos na kabuhayan ang isa sa mga magiging susi sa pagginhawa ng pamumuhay ng iyong pamilya,” he explained further.
In his capacity as a legislator, Go is actively advocating for increased livelihood opportunities in rural areas as a crucial strategy to facilitate the country’s recovery from the challenges posed by the pandemic and other crises.
A noteworthy step in this direction is the recent approval of Republic Act 11960, also known as the “One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Act,” which Go not only authored but also co-sponsored. This legislation formalizes the OTOP Philippines Program, a strategic initiative designed to foster the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the country. Central to the program’s goals is the promotion of local resource utilization and the safeguarding of the diverse cultural heritage of the nation.
“Majority ng mga registered businesses sa bansa ay mga MSMEs — mga maliliit na negosyo. Mas i-encourage natin ang pagiging business-minded nila para sa dagdag na kita. Noong kasagsagan ng pandemya, maraming nawalan ng trabaho pero nakita natin na magaling dumiskarte ang Pilipino, maraming nagbebenta online kaya mas nauso ang mga delivery services,” said Go in a video message.
“Kaya isinulong natin ang OTOP to institutionalize and improve the One Town One Product program. Sa tulong ng batas na ito, ating pinapalakas ang mga lokal na negosyo sa bawat bayan at siyudad sa bansa. Ipinapaabot natin sa kanila ang suporta na kinakailangan nila upang mapanatili ang kanilang operasyon at maabot ang mas malawak na merkado,” he explained.
Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also offered additional assistance to those in need of hospital care as he encouraged them to seek the services of the nearby Malasakit Center at the Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Medical Center in General Santos City.
Go initiated the Malasakit Centers program in 2018 and was successful in institutionalizing the program through RA 11463, which he principally sponsored and authored in 2019. There are now 159 Malasakit Centers nationwide, which have assisted over ten million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
Go remains resolute in his commitment to improving healthcare accessibility at the community level. He and his fellow legislators, in coordination with DOH and the local government units, have rallied behind the establishment of hundreds of Super Health Centers across the country.
“Mga kababayan tandaan natin, minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” said Go.
“Ako po ang inyong Senador kuya Bong Go, patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat. Dahil ako’y naniniwala na ang serbisyo po sa tao, serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” he concluded.
To help create more economic opportunities in the province, Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, likewise supported the concretion of the NHW junction Lebe-Tablao-Sipling-Banawag, NHW Luan-Ticulab-Cafe and Malalag-Batian provincial roads; construction of a multipurpose building for the public terminal; and construction of a lined canal in Brgy. Malalag in Maitum.
