Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has expressed the need for stronger government interventions to provide more livelihood opportunities, particularly for those who have been adversely affected by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Go's team visited Baliuag City, Bulacan on Friday, 1 September, and coordinated with Congresswoman Augustina "Tina" Pancho and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to provide assistance to 269 disadvantaged workers.
Conducted at the Barangay Pinagbarilan covered court, Go's team provided snacks and shirts to all beneficiaries while they also gave away shoes, mobile phones, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select recipients.
Meanwhile, the qualified beneficiaries also received livelihood support from DOLE's Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
"Nais kong magpadala ng taos-pusong pasasalamat sa TUPAD ng DOLE. Sa gitna ng kinakaharap nating krisis sa kalusugan, ang TUPAD ay naging isang malaking tulong sa ating mga kababayan na naapektuhan ng pandemya," Go said.
"Ang TUPAD ay hindi lamang isang programa; ito'y nagbibigay ng oportunidad at pag-asa sa mga manggagawang Pilipino na nawalan ng trabaho o kabuhayan dahil sa mga pagsubok na hinaharap natin. Sa pamamagitan nito, marami sa ating mga kababayan ang nabigyan ng pagkakataon na magkaruon ng pansamantalang trabaho at kumita ng maayos para sa kanilang pamilya," he stressed further.
Furthermore, Go has been instrumental in pushing for the passage of Republic Act No. 11960, also known as the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Act. This law, authored and co-sponsored by Go in the Senate, aims to promote entrepreneurship and local economic development by showcasing and supporting unique products from each town around the country.
The OTOP program encourages Filipinos to take pride in their local products, providing a platform for small-scale producers to access a wider market.
Go highlighted the OTOP program's potential to create jobs, stimulate economic growth in communities, and empower Filipinos to become self-reliant entrepreneurs. The senator added that by promoting and investing in locally made products, the OTOP Philippines Act can help revitalize local economies and provide sustainable livelihoods for countless individuals and families across the country.
Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, has consistently emphasized the imperative of improving and expanding the country's healthcare system to guarantee accessible medical services for disadvantaged populations. He has been an advocate for the establishment of Super Health Centers across the country.
In the province of Bulacan, the Department of Health (DOH) has identified other strategic locations to establish Super Health Centers, including the cities of Baliuag, Meycauayan, and San Jose del Monte, and the towns of Angat, Balagtas, Bulakan, Pandi, San Miguel, Guiguinto, Marilao, Obando, Paombong, Plaridel, San Ildefonso, and San Rafael.
Go likewise encouraged those with health concerns to seek the assistance of the Malasakit Centers at the Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos City, Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria, and Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte in San Jose del Monte City.
The Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DOH, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The one-stop shop aims to help impoverished patients by reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. To date, 158 operational centers have assisted more than seven million Filipinos nationwide, according to DOH.
As the principal sponsor and one of the authors, Go also highlighted the recently enacted RA 11959, widely known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act. The legislation mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers within existing DOH regional hospitals, stressing the government's commitment to enhancing the nation's healthcare infrastructure.
Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance supported the rehabilitation of the Bulacan State University Activity Center and the construction of a multipurpose building in Malolos City, the construction of drainages, provision of medical equipment for local hospitals, improvement of the Pandi District Hospital, concreting of a farm-to-market road in San Ildefonso, and many more.
Another team of Go was also in Bustos town on the same day and helped more struggling workers.