BONG GO SUPPORTS LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMS FOR COMMUNITIES IN CRISIS; AIDS MICRO-ENTREPRENEURS IN DAVAO ORIENTAL

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, on Thursday, August 1, personally provided livelihood support to 267 micro-entrepreneurs held at the Davao Oriental State University (DORSU) in Mati City, Davao Oriental, who had previously been impacted by flooding caused by shearlines.

Aside from the livelihood support, Go’s team also distributed grocery packs, snacks, masks, shirts, and basketballs and volleyballs to the beneficiaries. Select recipients also received a cell phone, a watch, shoes, and a bicycle.

The identified micro-entrepreneurs are also beneficiaries of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) program that Go continues to support. Through this program, they received livelihood kits.

“Nais kong magpasalamat sa DTI sa inyong PPG program dahil hindi lamang nagbibigay ng tulong kundi pati na rin ng sapat na kaalaman at kakayahan para sa mga pamilyang apektado ng iba’t-ibang kalamidad, tulad nitong pandemya,” Go said.

“Ang PPG program ay isang malinaw na halimbawa kung paano natin maipapakita ang malasakit at suporta sa ating mga kababayan na tinamaan ng mga pagsubok. Ang inyong pagsisikap ay hindi lamang nagbibigay ng tulong sa mga pamilya at indibidwal, kundi pati na rin sa mga komunidad na nangangailangan ng pagbangon,” he continued.

Go pushed for DTI’s PPG program during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration to help boost the livelihood of communities affected by crises. He continues to support the implementation of the program to help uplift individuals and families, particularly those engaged in micro-enterprises, who have been adversely affected by health disasters like epidemics and pandemics, calamities such as fires, typhoons, armed conflicts, and the like.

“Sa programang PPG, tuturuan ang mga benepisyaryo na magnegosyo at bibigyan ng kagamitan 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,” Go explained.

The Senator also expressed gratitude for the collective efforts of the local governments of Davao Oriental, acknowledging the present officials such as Mati City Councilor Xander “Bong” Alcantara, Lupon Councilor Don Montojo, and Provincial Director of DTI Davao Oriental Ma. Joycelyn Banlasan, among others, in supporting their constituents, especially during challenging times.

As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Senator Go highlighted the importance of the Malasakit Center at Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center in the city, urging residents to take advantage of the medical assistance available for impoverished patients.

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 Department of Health reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more or less ten million Filipinos.

Beyond immediate relief efforts, Go, Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, has also played a pivotal role in securing funding for several infrastructure projects in Mati City’s development, such as the construction of a multipurpose building and a sports complex in Barangay Don Martin Marundan, several road improvements, the rehabilitation of Buso Hot Spring Park, and the creation of a public eco-tourism park and botanical garden, among others.

“Alam ko mahirap ang panahon, pero kapag nakikita kong masaya kayo, masaya na rin po ako. Kaya po narito kami para tumulong po sa abot ng aking makakaya, mapakinggan ang inyong mga hinaing, isulong ang mga proyektong makakapagpaunlad ng inyong lugar, ilapit ang mga serbisyo ng gobyerno na makakatulong sa inyong muling pagbangon, at makapag-iwan ng ngiti sa oras ng inyong pagdadalamhati,” the senator concluded.

On the same day, Go likewise assisted more indigents and attended the Super Health Center turnover in San Isidro, Davao Oriental. He was also in Lupon, where he aided more impoverished individuals.