Press Release - Bong Go pushes for more gov't support for the livelihood sector as he aids displaced workers in Koronadal City, South Cotabato

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, in coordination with Congressman Peter Miguel, directed his team to join a relief effort for displaced workers in Koronadal City, South Cotabato on Tuesday, October 24.

"Naiintindihan ko po na napakaraming nawalan ng trabaho at nawalan ng pagkukuhanan ng kita simula ng pandemya. Sa panahon ngayon, patuloy lang po ang ating pagbabayanihan, mga kababayan ko. Kami po sa gobyerno ay patuloy na gagawa ng mga paraan upang mabalik ang sigla ng ekonomiya," said Go in a video message.

Held at Barangay Zone 4 gymnasium, Go's team distributed vitamins, masks, and snacks to 253 displaced workers. Meanwhile, there were select recipients of a phone, a watch, shirts, balls for basketball and volleyball, and pairs of shoes.

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.

In an effort to address the welfare of individuals residing in job-scarce rural regions, Go filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 420. This proposed legislation aims to provide temporary job opportunities for eligible members of low-income rural households who are willing to engage in unskilled physical labor for a defined period if the bill becomes law.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, encouraged those who are in need of hospital care to seek the services offered by the Malasakit Center located at South Cotabato Provincial Hospital in the city and at Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital in General Santos City.

"Ang Malasakit Center ay one-stop shop. Nasa loob na ng ospital ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno, ang Philhealth, PCSO, DOH at DSWD, tutulungan kayo sa babayaran sa inyong pagpapaospital," explained Go, who is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

There are now 159 Malasakit Centers nationwide.

Meanwhile, Go also mentioned that he supports the construction of more Super Health Centers nationwide which shall offer basic health services, including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and