SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go dispatched his Malasakit Team to assist displaced workers in El Nido, Palawan to further promote economic opportunities for the poor and disadvantaged communities towards inclusive economic recovery.
Held at the Barangay Villa Libertad Covered Court in El Nido, Go’s Malasakit Team joined by Puerto Princesa City Councilor Elgin Damasco, in coordination with Councilor Joel Rosento and Board Member Nieves Rosento, assisted 220 displaced workers and provided them with shirts, basketballs, and volleyballs on August 6, Tuesday.
In partnership with Senator Go and local officials, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) conducted a Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program orientation for the qualified beneficiaries.
“Sa gitna ng ating mga pagsubok, nais kong ipaabot ang aking taos-pusong suporta at pag-asa para sa inyong lahat. Tayo ay patuloy na sumusuporta sa mga programang pro-poor upang matulungan ang bawat isa sa inyo, lalo na ang mga nawalan ng trabaho,” affirmed Go in a message.
“Kahit saang sulok kayo ng Pilipinas, tutulong ako sa abot ng aking makakaya. Iyan po ang aking ipinangako sa Pilipino. Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” he added.
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) 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, Chairperson 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. In Palawan, Malasakit Centers are located at Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital in Culion, Southern Palawan Provincial Hospital in Brooke’s Point, and Ospital ng Palawan in Puerto Princesa City.
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 Department of Health reported that more or less ten million Filipinos benefitted from the 166 Malasakit Centers nationwide. Go principally authored and sponsored Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
“Huwag kayong mawalan ng pag-asa, sapagkat kami ay narito upang sumuporta at magserbisyo sa inyo. Patuloy tayong magkaisa at magtulungan, sapagkat ang ating layunin ay upang mapabuti ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” Go, known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service, further encouraged.
