Senator Christopher “Bong” Go extended support to around 1,225 disadvantaged residents from various towns in Bohol. Beneficiaries were from the towns of Tubigon, Loon, Corella, Cortes, Baclayon, Dauis, and Maribojoc, and Tagbilaran City.
The activity on Friday, January 17, was made possible through the collaborative efforts of local government officials in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
Held in their respective municipal and city gymnasiums, Go’s Malasakit Team participated and distributed essential goods such as vitamins and shirts. There were also select recipients of shoes, basketballs, and volleyballs.
The TUPAD program provided temporary employment opportunities to residents, empowering them to contribute to their local communities while earning a livelihood.
To better support Filipino workers impacted by crises and to provide for those in rural areas facing a scarcity of employment opportunities, Senator Go introduced Senate Bill No. 420. This proposed legislation aims to establish the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) to provide temporary jobs to qualified individuals from low-income rural families, who are prepared to engage in unskilled manual labor for a certain duration.
To further ease the financial burden on Filipino families, Senator Go also co-authored and co-sponsored SBN 2534, which aims to raise the daily minimum wage by P100 nationwide.
In support of local economy, Go co-sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate of Republic Act 11960, known as the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Act. The OTOP program promotes national pride in Filipino-made products while providing small-scale producers opportunities to expand their market reach. By focusing on local specialties, the program aims to elevate the livelihoods of communities and contribute to the nation’s overall economic progress.
The senator expressed his gratitude to DOLE for implementing the TUPAD program and to the local government officials of Bohol for their unwavering support in ensuring the program’s success.
“Salamat sa inyong malasakit at pakikiisa. Ang inyong suporta ang dahilan kung bakit maayos nating naibibigay ang serbisyong ito para sa ating mga kababayan,” Senator Go said.
“Patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyo, at sisiguraduhin nating walang maiiwan sa ating pag-unlad. Dahil naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” he concluded.
