PASAY CITY -- Senator and member of the Senate Committee on Labor Christopher “Bong” Go extended his support to the workers who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic as his team continued their relief operation in North Cotabato on Wednesday, November 10.

In a video message at an activity in Makilala, Go called on the government to ensure displaced workers are not left behind on the road to economic recovery by providing them more assistance and support at this time.

“Suportahan natin ang mga kababayan nating may kasanayan sa pagnenegosyo. Turuan at bigyan natin sila ng kapital. Kung magagawa natin ito, mabibigyan natin sila ng pagkakataong kumita para sa kanilang pamilya at mag-contribute sa ating bansa,” said Go.

“Magtulungan tayo upang maibangon muli ang kanilang mga kabuhayan. Sa ating mga kapatid, 'wag kayong mag-alala dahil hinding-hindi kayo pababayaan ng ating gobyerno,” he added.

His staff distributed meals, vitamins and masks to a total of 559 displaced workers at the Makilala Central Elementary School gymnasium. They gave away new pairs of shoes as well as a computer tablet and bicycle to selected workers.

In another distribution, personnel from the Department of Labor and Employment granted each worker their compensation for the service they rendered under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged / Displaced Workers program.

The activity is the latest in a series of activities undertaken by Go’s team to help address the impacts of the pandemic. On Tuesday, November 9, they also provided similar aid to 521 workers in Banisilan.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, the senator offered medical assistance to any poor and indigent patient. He strongly advised them to seek further aid from the government through the Malasakit Center at the Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Kidapawan City.

The center is a one-stop shop for the medical assistance programs of the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The program was institutionalized under the Malasakit Centers Act, which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate prior to President Duterte signing it into law in 2019.

“Isa sa ating ipinaglaban noon ay ang pagtatayo at pagsasabatas ng Malasakit Centers. Hindi natin inasahan noon na may ganitong krisis pangkalusugan na darating sa buhay natin,” said Go.

“Bilang Chair ng Senate Committee on Health, sisiguraduhin natin na patuloy ang pagbubukas ng Malasakit Centers sa iba’t ibang parte ng bansa upang mailapit sa tao ang ginhawa ng serbisyong dapat nilang makuha,” he reassured.

Go went on to thank Governor Nancy Catamco, Vice Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, Mayor Armando Quibod, Vice Mayor Ryan Tabanay, Councilor Adelwisa Cruz and Municipal Administrator Manuel Lalaguna for their efforts to deliver vital assistance in the face of the ongoing pandemic.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, he has also supported many infrastructure development initiatives to help spur the development of people and businesses in the province. He supported the construction of the Guangan Bridge, Liga Office and a multi-purpose building for the public market in Makilala.

Other initiatives he supported include the concreting of the farm-to-market and other roads in Alamada, Banisilan Libungan, Midsayap, President Roxas and Kidapawan City; construction of bridges in Arakan, Kabacan, Tulunan and Kidapawan City; construction or rehabilitation of drainage canals in Kabacan and Pikit; and construction of potable water system facilities in Tulunan.

The senator likewise supported the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Arakan, Tulunan and Kidapawan City; barangay halls in Matalam and Midsayap; and a slaughterhouse and a public market in Arakan. He also supported the improvement of a public market building in Pigcawayan; and the COVID-19 response and vaccination roll-out plan in Kidapawan City. (OSBG)