Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, adopted son of Sultan Kudarat, provided on Monday, November 18, various forms of assistance to displaced workers in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, in coordination with Mayor Marites Pallasigue.
“Bawat tulong na naibibigay natin ay isang hakbang papalapit sa mas maliwanag na kinabukasan para sa ating mga kababayan. Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo, kaya’t tuloy-tuloy po ang ating pagtulong sa abot ng makakaya,” Go expressed in a message.
Through the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, the beneficiaries were qualified for employment assistance.
“Ang TUPAD ay isang programa na layong makatulong sa mga kababayan nating walang trabaho o naapektuhan ang kabuhayan. Gamitin ninyo ang pagkakataon na ito upang makatulong sa inyong pamilya habang nakikibahagi sa muling pagbangon ng ating bayan,” said Go.
“Sa pamamagitan ng programa na ito, ang gobyerno ay tumutulong sa mga manggagawang naapektuhan ng krisis at nakakapagbigay ng pansamantalang trabaho sa kanila,” he added.
To further promote the welfare of Filipino workers affected by crises and ensure that those who reside in rural areas lacking job opportunities are taken care of, Go filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 420. Under the proposed legislation, the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) would be established to provide temporary employment options to individuals who qualify based on criteria such as economic hardship, poverty, displacement, or seasonal employment.
Additionally, in response to the ongoing economic challenges faced by many Filipinos, Go co-authored and co-sponsored SBN 2534, which seeks to increase the daily minimum wage by P100 nationwide, aiming to provide immediate financial relief to workers across the country.
Held at the Isulan Municipal Gymnasium, Go’s team distributed snacks, vitamins, shirts, fans, basketballs, and volleyballs to 110 displaced workers. Furthermore, the senator’s Malasakit team also gave away shoes, a watch, and a mobile phone to select recipients.
Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, then urged beneficiaries to visit the Malasakit Center located at Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital in the municipality if they require medical assistance for their healthcare needs.
“One-stop shop, nasa loob ng hospital ang Malasakit Center. Lapitan n’yo lang po iyan, para sa inyo ‘yan, para sa Pilipino ‘yan, para sa mga poor and indigent patients, tutulungan kayo n’yan,” he added.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act 11463, the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. To date, 166 operational centers have helped over 15 million Filipinos nationwide, according to the Department of Health.
“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,” underscored Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.
