Bong Go promotes welfare of social workers; supports DSWD budget proposal
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed his support for the proposed 2024 budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during a public hearing on Wednesday, 20 September.
While endorsing DSWD's proposed 2024 budget during a public hearing, Go sought clarification on the department's role in Malasakit Centers and emphasized the need for effective budget utilization to directly benefit Filipinos in need.
"For the record, I am supportive of programs that will help and assist our countrymen in need," said Go.
The senator emphasized the importance of ensuring that the budget allocated to the DSWD directly benefits indigent Filipinos.
"It is incumbent upon us to ensure that these programs will directly benefit poor and indigent Filipinos," he stated.
In the upcoming 2024 fiscal year, DSWD is slated to receive a budget of P207 billion, a notable increase from its P196.5 billion allocation in 2023.
Given this significant budgetary expansion, Go took the opportunity to remind DSWD to meet its legal mandates including what is stated in Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 which he principally authored and sponsored.
"According to the Malasakit Centers Act, the DOH (Department of Health), the DSWD, PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office), and PhilHealth shall have representatives in Malasakit Centers. Batas naman po ito. Inaprubahan po natin sa tulong ng mga kasamahan natin sa Kongreso at napirmahan po ni dating pangulo (Rodrigo Duterte). Sa ngayon, nakapag-provide na po ba tayo ng mga representatives sa 159 na Malasakit Centers?" asked Go.
The senator stressed that patients should not have to wander from one agency to another, which is both time-consuming and expensive, just to ask for medical assistance from the government.
Sec. Rex Gatchalian, for his part, committed to fully carrying out the DSWD's role in these centers nationwide. He stated, "We have taken an inventory in all Malasakit Centers and as far as we know from our record right now, they are manned by our people, at least our share of it."