BONG GO ADVOCATES FOR INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND WORKERS WELFARE AS HE AIDS LABORERS IN BINMALEY AND BURGOS, PANGASINAN

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has been proactive on both legislative and grassroots fronts. His filing of Senate Bill No. 420, which aims to establish the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP), exemplifies his commitment to creating short-term yet immediate employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged Filipinos.

Furthermore, Go co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 2534, proposing a nationwide P100 increase in the daily minimum wage, underscoring his dedication to improving the economic conditions of the nation’s workforce.

Amid these legislative endeavors, Go’s Malasakit Team visited Binmaley and Burgos, Pangasinan, on Thursday, August 21, to provide tangible assistance to the local displaced workers. The activity in Burgos was coordinated with Board Member Apple Bacay, while in Binmaley, it was in collaboration with Councilor Urbano Delos Angeles III and Councilor Amelito Sison.

The outreach activities were conducted at the Don Matias Covered Court in Burgos and Binmaley Training Center where a total of 157 displaced workers gathered to receive not only material support but also a message of hope and encouragement from Go through a video message.

In his address, Go expressed his unwavering support for the poor and those affected by job losses. “Sa gitna ng ating mga pagsubok, nais kong ipaabot ang aking taos-pusong suporta at pag-asa para sa inyong lahat,” he stated. “Ako ay patuloy na sumusuporta sa mga programang pro-poor upang matulungan ang bawat isa sa inyo, lalo na ang mga nawalan ng trabaho.”

He continued to rally the spirits of his audience, emphasizing his personal commitment to service.

“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. Ang bisyo ko ay magserbisyo, at kasama ninyo ako sa bawat hakbang ng ating pagbangon,” he added.

The event saw the distribution of various forms of aid from Senator Go such as snacks, vitamins, masks, shirts, basketballs, and volleyballs, and a select recipient was gifted a pair of shoes, symbolizing a step towards a brighter future.

This complements employment support advocated by Go for such beneficiaries through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, which was made possible in collaboration with the local government and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Go, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, encouraged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the healthcare services available at the Malasakit Centers located in the province, specifically at Conrado F. Estrella Regional Medical and Trauma Center in Rosales and Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.

As of now, 166 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The DOH reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more or less ten million Filipinos.

Reflecting on the day’s events and his ongoing initiatives, Go reiterated his philosophy of service, stating, “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.”