IN PURSUIT OF INCLUSIVE RECOVERY, BONG GO VISITS ROSALES, PANGASINAN TO HELP BOOST LIVELIHOOD OF COOPERATIVES AND DISPLACED WORKERS

DURING his visit to Rosales, Pangasinan, on Friday, May 10, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go emphasized the critical need for more robust government-supported livelihood programs to bolster the recovery of Filipinos as he assisted the town’s displaced workers and select cooperatives from the region.

As an adopted son of Pangasinan, Go reaffirmed his dedication to supporting the Pangasinense during times of hardship. “Huwag po kayong magpasalamat sa akin. Sa totoo lang po ako po’y isang probinsyano lamang na binigyan nyo po ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo po sa inyo. Ako po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyong lahat,” said Go who is also known as Mr. Malasakit for his unwavering commitment to aid those facing adversity.

“Maraming-maraming salamat sa inyong lahat sa pagkakataong ibinigay ninyo sa akin. Magseserbisyo po ako para sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya. Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino at uunahin ko parati ang kapakanan ng mga kababayan nating mahihirap. Kayo po ang uunahin ko parati,” he continued.

Senator Go’s visit to Rosales highlighted his ongoing initiatives to boost the welfare and recovery of fellow Filipinos through enhanced governmental support for the labor sector and for the development of cooperatives. The activity was held at RBE Stadium, where 500 displaced workers and 22 cooperatives were gathered to receive support from the government.

The displaced workers received grocery packs, transportation assistance, snacks, vitamins, masks, and shirts, while some received balls for basketball, bicycles, watches, shoes, and mobile phones from Senator Go. They also qualified for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged / Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through Go’s support.

Similarly, members of the said cooperatives received grocery packs, transportation assistance, shirts and each got balls to promote sports — all from Senator Go. In partnership with the Cooperative Development Authority, they also received financial support through the Malasakit sa Kooperatiba program that Go supported and advocated for.

Highlighting his legislative initiatives, Senator Go filed Senate Bill No. 420, which seeks to institutionalize the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP). This bill aims to provide temporary employment to those affected by economic hardships, including the impoverished, displaced, or those reliant on seasonal jobs, if enacted into law.

In addition to his focused efforts on employment, Senator Go has played a pivotal role in supporting cooperative development. As a member of the Senate Committee on Cooperatives, he co-authored and co-sponsored Republic Act 11502, also known as the National Cooperative Month Act. This legislation designates October as the “National Cooperative Month” every year, celebrating and promoting cooperative movements nationwide.

Furthermore, Senator Go co-authored and co-sponsored RA 11535, the Cooperatives Development Officer Act. This law mandates the appointment of a Cooperatives Development Officer at municipal, city, and provincial levels, ensuring that cooperatives receive the necessary support and development assistance.

In the 2024 budget, Senator Go also secured additional funding for the CDA’s Human Capital Development Program for Cooperatives. This funding is aimed at enhancing the skills and capabilities of cooperative members, thus strengthening the cooperative sector as a whole.

“Priority ko po ang ating mga cooperatives noon pa man. At isa lang po ang pakiusap ko sa ating cooperatives, unahin natin yung pagpapalago, basta gamitin lang po sa tama ang inyong puhunan. Mas masarap ang pakiramdam pag pinaghirapan at pinagpawisan nyo po ang pagpapalago ng inyong negosyo,” Go encouraged.

“Gamitin nyo po sa tama, palaguin ninyo, at dalhin ninyo ang kita sa inyong mga pamilya. Nandirito lang po ako na handang sumuporta sa ating mga cooperatives. Palakpakan natin ang ating mga coop members,” he continued.

In his speech, Go expressed his gratitude towards the officials, including those in attendance, such as Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, CDA Usec. Joseph Encabo, Board Member Sheila Banique, Mayor Liam Cezar, Vice Mayor Susan Casareno, town councilors, among others, for their persistent efforts to further the welfare of their communities.

“Dumaan tayo sa butas ng karayom at sa pagdaan natin sa butas ng karayom, ang ating kasama ay walang iba kung hindi ang ating mahal na Senador Bong Go. Kaya sa lahat po ng naririto ngayon, huwag naman po sana ninyong kakalimutan (na) kapag pagdating ng araw na kinakailangan din siyang lumusot sa butas ng karayom, kailangan samahan natin siya all the way,” DAR Secretary Estrella highlighted.

Apart from the assistance, Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, witnessed the launch of the 165th Malasakit Center at Conrado F. Estrella Regional Medical and Trauma Center that day. It is the second Malasakit Center established in the province next to Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City.

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 principally authored and sponsored RA 11463, which successfully institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.

Earlier that day, Go was in Manila City, where he attended the Philippine Nurses Association International Nurses 8th Summer Conference at the Century Park Hotel in Manila City.