Senator Christopher "Bong" Go extended support for the Tulong Trabaho Scholarship Program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Iligan City on Wednesday, May 29.

“Binabati ko po ang lahat ng mga graduates ng Tech-Hub Academy, Inc. ngayong araw na ito. Malaking tagumpay po ito para sa inyong lahat dulot ng inyong mga pagsisikap upang makumpleto ang inyong pag-aaral,” Go said

"The skills and knowledge you have acquired here will be your foundation for success in your chosen field. Kung may kinakailangan pa po kayong suporta mula sa gobyerno, magsabi lang kayo. Tutulong ako sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil bisyo ko po ang magserbisyo,” Go, also known as Mr. Malasakit, encouraged.

A total of 237 graduates gathered at the Robinsons Mall, Iligan City, and received grocery packs, bags, shirts, calendars, ballers, basketballs, and volleyballs from the senator. There were also select recipients of shoes, a watch, and a mobile phone.

Additionally, the event was attended by the Iligan City Admin. Darwin Manubag, TESDA Representative Faisalia Bato, Asian Tech-Hub Academy Manager Sherly Lequingan, and Asian Tech-Hub Academy Lead Trainer Melissa Dubria.

Go further highlighted that providing such specialized training improves their chances of employment and significantly advances the nation's economic growth.

For his part as a senator, Go filed Senate Bill No. 2115, which aims to institutionalize a technical-vocational education and training and livelihood program for rehabilitated drug dependents. The bill seeks to provide skills training and enhance the employability of former drug dependents, allowing them to rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities.

Meanwhile, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, encouraged the public to seek assistance from the Malasakit Centers located at Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital (GTLMH) in the city or at Kapatagan Provincial Hospital in Kapatagan town.

Senator Go, the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, has championed the cause of providing convenient access to medical assistance programs to particularly poor and indigent patients. This Act mandates that Department of Health-run hospitals, including the Philippine General Hospital, extend support by covering various patient services and fees.

Currently, there are 165 Malasakit Centers established throughout the nation, which have already assisted more or less ten million Filipinos, as reported by the DOH.

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