Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, in coordination with Board Member Jan Alberto, sent assistance to displaced workers from various towns in Catanduanes, including Bato, Baras, Bagamanoc, Caramoran, Gigmoto, Pandan, San Miguel, Viga, and Virac, on Wednesday, 4 October.
Held at Barangay Calatagan Proper covered court in Virac, Go’s team provided masks, vitamins, shirts, and snacks to 225 affected workers. Select recipients also received shoes, watches, mobile phones, and balls for basketball and volleyball.
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.
“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,” he said.
Go emphasized the importance of protecting the well-being of marginalized workers, especially those residing in rural areas who require increased economic opportunities.
Go has introduced Senate Bill No. (SBN) 420, which aims to establish a system for providing short-term employment to eligible individuals from underprivileged households in rural regions. Within the framework of this proposed measure, a program called the Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) would be created under DOLE.
If enacted into law, the primary objective of REAP is to offer temporary employment opportunities to individuals who meet the criteria of being economically disadvantaged, impoverished, displaced, or seasonal workers.
Underscoring the need for accessible yet affordable healthcare, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, reached out to residents with health concerns as he encouraged them to visit the Malasakit Center at the Eastern Bicol Medical Center in Virac.
The Malasakit Center Program was signed into law in 2019 under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored. It aims to provide convenient access to medical programs offered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
“Ang target po ng Malasakit Center ay ma-cover ang inyong billing. Kaya huwag po kayong mahihiyang lumapit sa Malasakit Center dahil para po yan sa inyo, mga kababayan kong Pilipino. At ngayon po, meron na po tayong 159 na Malasakit Centers sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong po sa inyo,” explained Go.
Go also mentioned that Super Health Centers are set to be established nationwide. Designed to focus on primary care, consultation, and early detection, Super Health Centers aim to fortify the healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural communities.
Through the collective efforts of DOH, local government units and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed.
The Super Health Centers will offer a range of healthcare services, including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation center and telemedicine, through which remote diagnosis and treatment of patients are made possible.
In Catanduanes, Super Health Centers are funded to be established in Panganiban, Pandan, San Andres, Viga, and Caramoran.
Lastly, Go cited the enactment of RA 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate. The law mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals. It stands as a testament to the commitment of the government to uplift the nation’s health infrastructure and bring actual medical services closer to the Filipino people.
As he aims to boost the development of the province, Go, as vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the construction of the Provincial Integrated Transport Terminal and Business Complex in Virac, construction of breakwaters in Bagamanoc, Pandan, San Andres, and Virac, construction of multipurpose buildings in Baras, Panganiban, San Andres, and San Miguel, construction of flood control structures in Baras and San Andres, construction of river control in Bato, Pandan, San Andres, and Virac, and road improvements in Baras, Gigmoto, San Andres, and Virac.