Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, adopted son of CALABARZON and has familial ties to the Tesoro clan of Batangas, gave support to displaced workers in Batangas City, Tanauan City, and Lemery on Wednesday, 27 December.

Go's Malasakit Team coordinated with Board Member Alfredo Corona, Board Member Arthur Blanco, and Emma Tumambing, former captain of Barangay 24 in Batangas City, to provide assistance to 353 affected workers. Go's Malasakit Team joined three relief activities to distribute assistance efficiently at Batangas City Sports Coliseum, Lemery Municipal Covered Court, and Barangay Darasa Hall in Tanauan City.

Each beneficiary received snacks, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball while select individuals were given shoes and a mobile phone from the senator's team.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also conducted an orientation as part of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program for temporary employment to qualified beneficiaries.

"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. Kaya hinding-hindi ko sasayangin ang pagkakataon na ibinigay ninyo sa akin. Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino sa abot ng aking makakaya," Go assured in a video message.

Go also underscored the need to safeguard the interests of marginalized workers, especially those in rural communities who are in need of more job prospects.

In response, the lawmaker filed Senate Bill No. 420, which advocates for setting up a framework to offer short-term job opportunities for qualified individuals from low-income rural families. The bill proposes the creation of the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) within the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Should this bill become law, REAP would primarily focus on providing temporary employment options to those who qualify based on economic hardship, poverty, displacement, or reliance on seasonal work.

"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," Go said.