Bong Go commits to boost livelihood opportunities nationwide as he personally aids indigents in San Juan City

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally provided aid to vulnerable residents in San Juan City on Monday, October 10 as the Department of Social Welfare and Development separately extended livelihood assistance under its Sustainable Livelihood Program.

In his remarks during the activity held at San Juan gymnasium, the senator commended the DSWD for the said livelihood grants that would significantly create more sustainable opportunities to the 300 beneficiaries who are adversely affected by the pandemic.

Potentially may be used to kick start new

business ventures, Go likewise urged the residents to use the grants to support their families during these challenging times. saying, “Ang matanggap ninyo ngayong araw na ito mula sa livelihood program ng DSWD (ay) palaguin ninyo. Ito pong SLP-LAG Program, bibigyan ho kayo ng puhunan. Palaguin n’yo po ang inyong negosyo at dalahin n’yo po ang inyong kita sa inyong mga pamilya.”

“Alam n’yo po, mas masarap ang pakiramdam ‘pag pinaghirapan at ‘pag pinagpawisan n’yo po ang inyong pagnenegosyo. Palaguin n’yo po. Alam mo… magbenta kayo, mga sari-sari store. Mas masarap ang pakiramdam ‘pag lumago at pinagpawisan n’yo po ang inyong… pinagpaguran n’yo talaga ‘yung kita ninyo,” he added.

Meanwhile, the senator also stressed the need to protect the welfare of micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs as he proposed a measure that would institutionalize the Department of Trade and Industry’s “One Town, One Product” (OTOP) program, noting that 99.51% of businesses operating in the country are MSMEs.

OTOP is a government-run program providing assistance for MSMEs and promoting the commodities and products of Filipino towns, cities and regions. It seeks to assist and capacitate MSMEs in developing new, innovative and more complex products and services through significant improvement in the areas of quality, product development, design, packaging, standards compliance, marketability, production capability, brand development, sustainability, and securing licenses, product registration and other market authorization, among others.

Go and his team provided grocery packs, meals, vitamins, masks, and shirts to the aspiring business owners while some of them received watches and phablets.

As he continues to protect the welfare of Filipino athletes and committed to continue former president Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs and other criminality, Senator Go, who serves as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, provided select individuals with shoes, bicycles, and balls for basketball and volleyball.

“Patuloy ko kayong eengganyuhin na mag get into sports na lang tayo. Para ilayo ‘yung mga kabataan sa iligal na droga. Ayaw ko pong masayang ‘yung inumpisahan ni Pangulong Duterte na labanan ang kriminalidad, labanan ang iligal na droga, at labanan ang korapsyon sa gobyerno,” encouraged Go.

Apart from the relief items, Go offered to help those with health concerns as he advised residents or their loved ones to visit San Juan Medical Center and seek the services offered in the available Malasakit Center.

Go initiated the Malasakit Centers program after he personally witnessed the struggles of financially incapacitated patients to get the medical attention they need. Institutionalized under the Republic Act No. 11463, the Malasakit Centers mandates all Department of Health-run hospitals to establish their own centers and help poor and indigent patients with their medical expenses.

In line with his commitment to bring more disadvantaged Filipinos closer to quality yet affordable health care, the Senator, who likewise chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, supported the construction of 18 Super Health Centers across Metro Manila.

“Ito pong Super Health Center (ay) maliit na version ng (hospital), maliit ng polyclinic. Para hindi na po kailangan pumunta ng ospital. Nandyan na po yung birthing facilities, laboratory panganganak, at iba pa,” explained Go.

Go, who is also the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the repair of drainages and road improvements in various streets in the city.

“Salamat po sa inyo sa mga taga-San Juan. Nandito lang po ako sa abot nang aking makakaya. Maliit man po ang akin kapasidad (ko) ngayon dahil wala na (sa pwesto) si (dating) pangulong Duterte, ngunit patuloy po akong magseserbisyo po sa inyong lahat sa abot po ng akin makakaya,” reaffirmed Go.

“Huwag po kayong magpasalamat sa amin (dahil) sa totoo lang kami po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan niyo po kami ng pagkakataon na makapag serbisyo sa inyo. Mga minamahal kong mga kababayan na taga-San Juan, mahal na mahal ko po kayong lahat. Salamat po!” he concluded.

Photocaption:Pinangunahan ni Senator Bong Go at San Juan Mayor Francis Tolentino,ang pag bibigay ng Livelihood Assistant Grant Distribution ng Department of Social Welfare Developtment sa mga Benepisaryo ,na Umabot sa 300 ang nakatangap ng tig P10.000 Mula sa DSWD ,Nagbigay din ang Senador ng Foodpacks,Vitamins, Bola, Sapatos at Bisekleta na ginanap sa San Juan Gym San Juan City. (CESAR MORALES)