Bong Go assists displaced workers in Batangas

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, adopted son of CALABARZON with familial roots from Batangas, coordinated with Mayor Janet Ilagan and Vice Mayor Jay Ilagan to assist 372 displaced workers in the Municipality of Mataas na Kahoy.

Go's outreach team joined the relief operation at the municipal covered court on Wednesday, 11 October, and provided snacks, masks, vitamins, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball. They also gave away shoes and cellular phones to select recipients.

The beneficiaries also qualified for livelihood support from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) after they have completed DOLE's Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

"Patuloy po tayong magtulungan upang mas mapabuti pa ang kalagayan ng ating mga disadvantaged at displaced workers. Magkasama tayo sa layuning ito na makabuo ng mas maginhawa at mas matatag na lipunan para sa lahat ng Pilipino," he said.

Go underscored the significance of safeguarding the welfare of marginalized laborers, with a particular focus on those residing in rural areas, and in need of increased economic prospects.

Senate Bill No. (SBN) 420, which was introduced by Go, proposes to establish a system designed to provide short-term job opportunities for eligible individuals hailing from underprivileged households in rural regions. Within the framework of this proposed legislation, the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) would be instituted under the DOLE.

If this bill becomes a law, the primary objective of REAP would be to offer temporary employment opportunities to individuals who qualify as economically disadvantaged, impoverished, displaced, or seasonal workers.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, encouraged residents with health issues to make use of the services available at the Malasakit Centers located within the Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery and the Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City.

The Malasakit Center Program was signed into law in 2019 under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored. It aims to provide convenient access to medical programs offered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Go also mentioned that Super Health Centers are set to be established nationwide, including three in Lipa City, and one of each in San Pascual, Agoncillo, Calatagan, San Jose, Malvar, Taysan, Ibaan, San Juan, Tingloy, and Lian.

Designed to focus on primary care, consultation, and early detection, Super Health Centers aim to fortify the healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural communities.

Through the collective efforts of DOH, local government units, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed.

The Super Health Centers will offer a range of healthcare services, including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine, through which remote diagnosis and treatment of patients are made possible.

Go cited the enactment of RA 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate. The law mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals. It stands as a testament to the commitment of the government to uplift the nation's health infrastructure and bring actual medical services closer to the Filipino people.

As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Alitagtag, Batangas City, Ibaan, Lemery, Lipa City, Mabini, San Jose, San Juan, San Luis, San Nicolas, Santo Tomas, and Taal; the concretion of farm-to-market roads in Agoncillo, Laurel, Nasugbu, and Tuy; the acquisition of ambulance units in Ibaan and Lemery; and the acquisition of multipurpose vehicles in Lipa City and San Juan.

Last September 20, Go's team was also in town to provide assistance to fire victims.