IBA, Zambales | January 1, 2024 — Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, adopted son of the town of Iba and the province of Zambales, provided aid to workers who lost their jobs in Iba and Botolan, Zambales, on Thursday, December 28.

Understanding the challenges posed by job loss in these areas, Go highlighted the importance of implementing strategies to secure their financial well-being and facilitate recovery.

The relief activity was held at Brgy. Amungan covered court in Iba, and Brgy. Panan covered court in Botolan in coordination with Governor Hermogenes Ebdane and Board Member Samantha Ablola.

Go’s Malasakit Team provided snacks, masks, vitamins, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball to a total of 354 identified beneficiaries while select recipients received a watch and pairs of shoes.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)  also provided temporary employment for those who are eligible for their Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

“Sa totoo lang po, ‘wag po kayong magpasalamat sa amin. Kami po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan n’yo kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyo,” Go said in a video message.

“Kami po ay probinsyano tulad ninyo na binigyan n’yo po ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyo. Kaya hinding-hindi ko sasayangin ang pagkakataon na ibinigay ninyo sa akin. Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino sa abot ng aking makakaya,” he added.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, extended further support to residents requiring medical aid. He urged them to avail themselves of the various medical assistance programs provided in the Malasakit Centers situated at the President Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital in Iba.

Established in 2018, the Malasakit Centers were created as one-stop shops that consolidate various government medical assistance programs, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. To date, 159 operational centers have helped around ten million Filipinos nationwide, according to DOH. (SMNI)