Bong Go pushes for more livelihood opportunities for the poor
The senator assists displaced workers in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
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Daily TribuneThe senator assists displaced workers in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
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Senator Christopher "Bong" Go sent assistance to displaced workers in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan on Thursday, December 14, in coordination with Vice Governor Melvin "Boy" Vargas, Jr.
A total of 205 individuals gathered at Barangay Caggay Gymnasium, where they all received masks and vitamins. Meanwhile, select recipients received shirts and balls for basketball and volleyball.
The Department of Labor and Employment also provided livelihood support through temporary employment opportunities to qualified disadvantaged workers after they completed the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program.
"Sa totoo lang po, 'wag po kayong magpasalamat sa amin. Kami po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan n'yo kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyo," Go said in a video message.
"Kami po ay probinsyano tulad ninyo na binigyan n'yo po ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyo. Kaya hinding-hindi ko sasayangin ang pagkakataon na ibinigay ninyo sa akin. Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino at tutulong sa abot ng aking makakaya," he added.
In order to help address the difficulties encountered by rural residents due to limited job prospects, Go filed Senate Bill No. 420. This bill aims to provide short-term employment opportunities to qualified individuals from financially disadvantaged rural families. Under this proposal, these individuals would be engaged in basic physical work for a set period, contingent upon the bill becoming a law.
Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, has urged those with health concerns to seek the medical assistance programs available in the Malasakit Center at Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) in the city.
Initiated in 2018, the Malasakit Centers serve as one-stop shops for various medical assistance programs provided by relevant agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. To date, 159 operational centers have helped more or less ten million Filipinos nationwide, according to DOH.
The senator also highlighted that he continues to support the establishment of more Super Health Centers across the country.
"Sa pag-iikot ko sa bansa, napansin ko na kailangan talaga ng dagdag na health facilities lalo na sa maliliit at malalayong mga lugar. Minsan po, 'yung iba ay nanganganak na lang sa tricycle sa layo ng byahe pa-ospital," said Go.
"Huwag sana natin hayaan na mangyari pa 'yon. Kaya talagang isinusulong ko ang pagkakaroon ng Super Health Centers para mailapit ang pangunahing serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan sa malalayong lugar," he added.
Through the collective efforts of the DOH, local government units, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated under the DOH for the construction of 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. As the lead implementing agency, DOH identifies the strategic areas where these Super Health Centers will be established.
Go also emphasized the importance of RA 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act. He is the principal sponsor and one of the authors of the new law which specifically mandates the formation of Regional Specialty Centers within the current regional hospitals overseen by the DOH.
To further help create more opportunities for the province, Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, has likewise supported the construction of a revetment along the Cagayan River; the installation of streetlights in Lal-lo; construction of various roads in Sta Teresita, Aparri, Amulung, Baggao, Calayan, Gonzaga, Iguig, Santa Ana, Enrile, Tuao and Tuguegarao City; construction of a river control structure at the Zinundungan River; installation of streetlights in Camalaniugan; and upgrading of the CVMC.