Bong Go visits displaced workers
SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go advised around a thousand beneficiaries to use government assistance wisely for personal and community development.
This came during a relief activity in Manila City on Thursday, May 23, where additional support was provided to displaced workers by the senator, on top of the existing government livelihood support they qualified to receive.
Go and his Malasakit Team, in collaboration with Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan and Vice Mayor Yul Servo, carried out the distribution at the Universidad de Manila, where almost a 1,000 beneficiaries received snacks, grocery packs, vitamins, masks, and shirts. At the same time, there were some recipients of balls for basketball and volleyball, shoes, a mobile phone, a watch, and a bicycle.
Through Go’s support, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) conducted an orientation for the qualified recipients of its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, where they are given temporary employment to help the community.
“Nandirito po tayo para sa programang TUPAD na ating isinulong noon para mabigyan po kayo ng pansamantalang trabaho… Bigyan po natin ng pagpupugay ang ating mga empleyado ng DOLE sa programang TUPAD. Palakpakan po natin silang muli. Salamat po sa inyong serbisyo,” he added.
Meanwhile, Go highlighted the importance of government livelihood support amid trying times and urged the beneficiaries to make the most of this opportunity to uplift their lives.
The senator also extended his gratitude to the local officials who played crucial roles in organizing and supporting the event, including Mayor Lacuna, Vice Mayor Servo, Councilor Lance Terencio and other local leaders.
Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, urged residents to prioritize their health and utilize the assistance from Malasakit Centers located in the city. Initiated by Go in 2018, the Malasakit Centers program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which he principally authored and sponsored in the Senate.
Currently, 165 Malasakit Centers nationwide have helped more or less ten million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
“Sa mga pasyente, lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center dahil para ‘to sa inyo. Kung may hospital bill kayo, nandiyan ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong para mabayaran ito,” said Go.
The Malasakit Centers in Manila City are located at Tondo Medical Hospital, Philippine General Hospital, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Hospital, and San Lazaro Hospital.
To bring healthcare closer to communities, Go also backed the creation of Super Health Centers nationwide, including four in the city, aiming to make primary medical services more accessible to those at the grassroots.
