Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s Malasakit Team, in collaboration with Vice Mayor Carmen Vidal and the local government of Macalelon, Quezon, conducted a relief operation to support the town’s displaced workers on Tuesday, August 27.
This outreach is part of Senator Go’s ongoing efforts to directly address the needs of marginalized Filipinos, providing immediate aid to those struggling due to economic hardships.
Senator Go, an adopted son of CALABARZON, expressed his appreciation to Vice Mayor Vidal and her team for their dedication to helping the most vulnerable members of the community. He stressed the importance of unity and cooperation between national and local governments in ensuring that assistance reaches those who need it the most.
A total of 653 displaced workers gathered at the Macalelon Convention Center, where they received snacks, vitamins, shirts, basketballs, and volleyballs. There were also select recipients of shoes and a mobile phone.
The displaced workers have also benefitted from the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program through Go’s collaboration.
“Ang bisyo ko po ay ang magserbisyo. Patuloy po tayong magtutulungan upang siguruhing may hanapbuhay at kabuhayan ang ating mga kababayan,” said Go, referred to as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate approach to public service.
The initiative highlighted not only the immediate relief but also the need to provide tools and resources that could help the beneficiaries improve their livelihoods. Senator Go encouraged the displaced workers to explore more available government programs and adapt to new practices that could increase their income and resilience against economic challenges.
He highlighted his advocacy for Senate Bill No. 420, which aims to establish the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) under DOLE. This proposed measure seeks to provide temporary employment to economically disadvantaged, impoverished, displaced, or seasonal workers, furthering the government’s efforts to combat poverty and unemployment.
Moreover, Senator Go, a co-author of Senate Bill No. 2534, known as the Wage Increase Bill, stressed the bill’s objective to raise the daily minimum wage by P100 across the country. This increase is expected to benefit the poor and hungry, especially amid the rising prices of goods.
He also reminded the attendees of the available medical assistance programs through Malasakit Centers, which are designed to help poor Filipinos access healthcare by easing the burden of hospital bills. He noted that these centers, including those at Quezon Medical Center in Lucena City and Maria L. Eleazar General Hospital in Tagkawayan, continue to serve as lifelines for indigent patients.
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. To date, the 166 Malasakit Centers have helped more or less ten million Filipinos nationwide. It was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally sponsored and authored.
