BONG GO’S MALASAKIT TEAM ASSISTS HALF A THOUSAND DISPLACED WORKERS IN ILOILO CITY

On Thursday, September 12, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s Malasakit Team assisted displaced workers in Iloilo City in coordination with the local government led by Mayor Jerry Treñas.

In his message, Go commended the local government for prioritizing their constituents and providing support to affected individuals and communities.

“‘Yan naman ang aming sinumpaan na maglingkod sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya. Ako po, ang bisyo ko ay magserbisyo sa kapwa kaya maraming salamat sa pagkakataon na ibinigay niyo sa akin para makapag serbisyo sa inyo,” Mr. Malasakit underscored.

Held at Iloilo Freedom Grandstand, Go’s Malasakit Team gave the 500 beneficiaries snacks, shirts, basketballs and volleyballs. They also gave shoes to select recipients.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also oriented the qualified recipients of Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

The senator then took the opportunity to commend DOLE for their proactive approach to addressing the challenges disadvantaged and displaced workers face. The TUPAD program, initiated by DOLE, aims to provide emergency employment and livelihood opportunities to those who have lost their jobs or sources of income due to crises.

As a lawmaker, Go introduced Senate Bill No. 420, which advocated establishing a system to provide short-term employment opportunities to eligible individuals from disadvantaged rural households. Under the proposed legislation, the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) would be established with the primary aim of providing temporary employment options to individuals who qualify based on criteria such as economic hardship, poverty, displacement, or seasonal employment.

Recognizing the importance of accessible and affordable healthcare services, Senator Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, has consistently advocated using the Malasakit Center as a one-stop shop for medical assistance programs.

In his remarks, Go urged residents to avail of medical assistance from the Malasakit Center Western Visayas Medical Center and West Visayas State University Medical Center, both in Iloilo City; Don Jose D. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo; and Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital in Sta. Barbara.

Established by Go in 2018, the Malasakit Centers program aims to streamline obtaining medical assistance by consolidating various government agencies under one roof. The program was later institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally sponsored and authored. To date, 166 operational centers have helped around 12 million Filipinos nationwide.