DISPLACED FARM WORKERS IN PLARIDEL, QUEZON RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM BONG GO: “SUPORTAHAN ANG MGA MAGSASAKA DAHIL IMPORTANTE NA MAY LAMAN ANG TIYAN NG BAWAT PILIPINO”

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go coordinated with Vice Governor Anacleto Alcala III and had his Malasakit Team assist displaced farm workers in Plaridel, Quezon, on Monday, August 12.

“Sa gitna ng ating mga pagsubok, nais kong ipaabot ang aking taos-pusong suporta at pag-asa para sa inyong lahat. Dapat pagbutihin natin ang mga programa at serbisyo para sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino lalo na ang ating mga magsasaka. Wala tayong kakainin kung wala sila,” affirmed Mr. Malasakit in a message.

“Magtulungan at magmalasakit tayo sa isa’t isa lalo na sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan na isang kahig isang tuka. Importante na happy ang ating mga magsasaka. Sikapin nating walang magutom na Pilipino at walang maiwan sa ating pagbangon,” he added.

Through Go’s support, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) then conducted a Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program orientation for qualified beneficiaries.

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

Furthermore, Go has filed Senate Bill No. 420 to establish a short-term employment program for eligible individuals from underprivileged households. If enacted into law, this proposed measure would create the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) to provide temporary employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged, impoverished, displaced, or seasonal workers.

To further ease the financial burden on Filipino families, Go also co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 2534, which aims to raise the daily minimum wage by P100 nationwide.

Go, a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture has continuously advocated for strengthening agricultural support systems, acknowledging the contribution of farmers in maintaining food security.

Go was one of the authors of Republic Act 11901, or the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development Financing Enhancement Act of 2022, which enhanced the financial structure supporting agriculture, fisheries, and rural development. This law is designed to offer improved access to credit for rural communities, particularly benefiting farmers, fisherfolk, and agri-based workers. The goal is to elevate their well-being, competitiveness, and productivity.

Moreover, Go served as co-sponsor and co-author in the Senate of RA 11953, also known as the New Agrarian Emancipation Act. This legislation condones loans accrued by agrarian reform beneficiaries, encompassing the related interests, penalties, and surcharges.

Additionally, the senator filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2117, a measure ensuring thorough crop insurance protection for agrarian reform beneficiaries. To complement the said bill, Go introduced SBN 2118 to improve insurance coverage and services for farmers and address the agricultural sector’s susceptibility to the consequences of natural disasters if enacted into law.

Held at the Municipal Covered Court, Go’s Malasakit Team assisted the 119 displaced farm workers and provided them with snacks, vitamins, masks, shirts, basketballs, and volleyballs. There were also select recipients of shoes and a mobile phone.

“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,” emphasized Go, affectionately known as Mr. Malasakit for his dedication to aiding Filipinos in need.

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

The Malasakit Centers program, a brainchild of Go was initiated in 2018 and aims to streamline the process of availing medical assistance programs by bringing together concerned government agencies under one roof.

In Quezon, Malasakit Centers are located at Quezon Medical Center in Lucena City and Maria L. Eleazar General Hospital in Tagkawayan. To date, the Department of Health (DOH) reported that more or less ten million Filipinos have benefited from the 166 Malasakit Centers nationwide. Go principally authored and sponsored Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.