BONG GO ASSISTS DISPLACED WORKERS IN MANILA CITY

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go dispatched his Malasakit Team to assist more displaced workers in Barangay 600, Sta. Mesa, Manila City, on Thursday, February 22. The efforts were in coordination with the Pioneer Group of Senior Citizens of Manila.

The senator lauded the  Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for its efforts to bring more livelihood opportunities for the poor as the agency conducted an orientation for 157 qualified beneficiaries who were introduced to DOLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program.

“Sa pamamagitan ng programa na ito, ang gobyerno ay tumutulong sa mga manggagawang naapektuhan ng krisis at nakakapagbigay ng pansamantalang trabaho sa kanila,” Go said in a video message.

“Bisyo ko po ang magserbisyo kaya patuloy po tayong magtutulungan upang mas mapabuti pa ang kalagayan ng ating mga disadvantaged at displaced workers. Magkasama tayo sa layuning ito na makabuo ng mas ligtas at mas matatag na lipunan para sa lahat ng Pilipino,” he added.

Meanwhile, Go’s Malasakit team provided masks, vitamins, snacks, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball. They also gave away shoes and a mobile phone to select recipients.

The relief activity was held at 600 Barangay Multipurpose Hall.

Dubbed as ‘Mr. Malasakit’ for his continued support for the poor, Go also filed Senate Bill No. 420, which supports the creation of a framework dedicated to offering brief employment opportunities to eligible individuals hailing from underprivileged rural households. According to the proposed law, the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) would be established and fall under DOLE’s purview.

If enacted, the primary objective of REAP is to furnish temporary employment avenues for individuals meeting specific criteria, including economic hardship, poverty, displacement, or reliance on seasonal employment.

Meanwhile, Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, urged residents to utilize the services of Malasakit Centers located in the city. Initiated by Go in 2018, the Malasakit Centers program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which he principally authored and sponsored in the Senate.

There are now 159 Malasakit Centers nationwide that have helped around ten million indigent Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

The Malasakit Centers are located at  Tondo Medical Hospital, Philippine General Hospital, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Hospital, and San Lazaro Hospital.

Go also backed the creation of Super Health Centers nationwide, including four in the city, aiming to make primary medical services more accessible and closer to local communities.

As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported numerous projects in the city to ensure its progress amid crises. Among these projects are the rehabilitation of roads in several barangays, structural improvement of public buildings, evacuation center construction, medical and educational supplies, ambulances, multipurpose vehicles, and surveillance systems, and installing solar-powered street lights.