Kuya Bong eyes rural livelihood programs

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go dispatched his team on Wednesday, 13 September, to provide assistance to residents of Mangatarem, Pangasinan, in collaboration with Mayor Ramil Ventenilla and its local government.

In his message, Go reiterated his commitment to support programs that will bring crucial assistance to fellow Filipinos especially the poor. He continues to advocate for programs such as those initiated by the Department of Trade and Industry to bring government aid, particularly in terms of livelihood support closer to the grassroots.

In Mangatarem, handed out livelihood kits to 20 qualified beneficiaries who are still recovering from past calamities and other crises. In addition, Go's team distributed masks, snacks, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball to the beneficiaries while select beneficiaries received shoes.

The goal of this program is to facilitate economic recovery of micro-enterprises and, in turn, provide much-needed livelihood opportunities for identified beneficiaries in areas considered priorities by the national government.

Meanwhile, Go reiterated his priority to enhance healthcare accessibility to poor and indigent Filipinos. This commitment drove him to champion the passage of Republic Act 11463, commonly referred to as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, a law he principally sponsored and authored.

Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount.