BONG GO ASSISTS A THOUSAND YOUTHS IN GENERAL SANTOS CITY, PROMOTES EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT AND LIVELIHOOD OPPORTUNITIES IN COMMUNITIES

On Friday, June 28, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally extended his assistance to 1,000 disadvantaged youths at Dadiangas East Elementary School Gymnasium in General Santos City, following his earlier aid to displaced workers in Alabel, Sarangani.

In his speech, Go emphasized the government’s vital role in supporting Filipinos facing hardships, especially those who were adversely affected by the pandemic or other economic challenges.

“Sa gitna ng ating mga pagsubok, nais kong ipaabot ang aking taos-pusong suporta para sa inyong lahat. Tayo ay patuloy na nagsusulong ng mga programang pro-poor upang matulungan ang bawat isa sa inyo, lalo na ang mga nawalan ng trabaho,” affirmed Go, also known as Mr. Malasakit.

The senator distributed grocery packs, snacks, shirts, vitamins, and masks. There were also select recipients of bicycles, mobile phones, shoes, watches, volleyballs, and basketballs.

The youths in General Santos City will benefit from the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through the support of Go.

TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers, offering short-term livelihood opportunities.

Senator Go expressed his gratitude to the local officials, including Congressman Loreto “Ton” Acharon, Governor Rogelio Dapidran Pacquiao, Vice Governor Elmer De Peralta, and Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao, and DOLE officials, among others, for their collaboration in providing opportunities for their constituents.

He then assured continued support for initiatives that create more opportunities for disadvantaged Filipinos. He also encouraged the beneficiaries to keep working hard, noting the fulfillment that comes from earning money through hard work. He advised them to use their earnings wisely and leverage the skills acquired during the livelihood program for other opportunities.

“Ang TUPAD ay isa po sa programa na sinusuportahan ko, under ito sa DOLE. Bibigyan kayo ng pansamantalang trabaho… Mas masarap po ang pakiramdam kapag pinaghirapan at pinagpawisan ninyo ang inyong kikitain. Kapag kumita ay dalahin n’yo sa inyong pamilya,” he cited.

In his efforts to further support Filipino workers affected by crises and those in rural areas with limited employment options, Go introduced Senate Bill No. 420. This proposed legislation aims to establish the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP), providing temporary jobs to qualified individuals from low-income rural families willing to engage in unskilled manual labor for a certain period.

Additionally, Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, highlighted the presence of a Malasakit Center in Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital in the city or South Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Koronadal City, where indigent patients can receive government medical assistance.

Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount.

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. The DOH reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more or less ten million Filipinos.

“Sa mga pasyente, lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center dahil para ‘to sa inyo. Kung may hospital bill kayo, nandiyan ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong para mabayaran ito,” said Go.

“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,” underscored Go.

Senator Go’s visit and the implementation of these programs underscore his ongoing efforts to help uplift the lives of Filipinos, ensuring that support and opportunities reach those who need them most.

The senator also led the inauguration of a Super Health Center in Alabel earlier that day. He then ended his day invited as the guest speaker of the Philippine Councilors’ League – Sarangani Federation General Assembly at the Grand Summit Hotel.