On Labor Day, Bong Go recognizes role of workers in the economy; calls for continued protection of their rights and welfare amid COVID-19 emergency

Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go called on the national government and local government units to continue upholding the rights and promoting the welfare of Filipino workers as the country commemorates Labor Day on the first day of May.

"Sa kabila po ng dinaraanang pagsubok ng bansa dala ng COVID-19, binabati ko po ang ating mga manggagawa ng isang mapagpalayang Araw ng Paggawa," Go said.

"Kayo ang pundasyon ng ating patuloy na lumalagong ekonomiya. Bilang mambabatas, asahan ninyo na patuloy kong isusulong ang mga panukalang batas at susuportahan ang mga programa upang mas lalong maprotektahan ang inyong mga karapatan at mas mapabuti ang inyong kapakanan," he added.

Go also assured workers that the government will always prioritize their rights and welfare amid the challenges posed by the ongoing public health crisis. "Habang patuloy nating nilalabanan ang sakit na COVID-19, ginagawa ng pamahalaan ang lahat ng makakaya para mabigyan ng tulong ang mga apektadong manggagawa."

"Bilang suporta, naging panawagan ko din ang pagbibigay pa ng dagdag na tulong para sa mas nakararami, katulad ng mga apektadong manggagawa ng mga maliliit na negosyo o ang mga MSMEs, at iba pa," he added.

Earlier, Go appealed for the provision of support to workers and employees of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) affected by the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Go said that most MSMEs were forced to temporarily, totally or partially close down due to the global health crisis and the extended enhanced community quarantine measures.

"Malaking parte ng bumubuhay sa ating ekonomiya ay ang mga MSMEs at ang kanilang mga workers. Tulungan natin silang buhayin ang kanilang negosyo at maiahon ang kanilang mga empleyado habang nasa panahon ng krisis ang buong bansa," Go said.

Go's appeal led to the granting of a subsidy program to provide assistance to MSMEs and their employees by the Department of Finance. About four million MSME employees benefitted from the program.

The Department of Labor and Employment also implemented its COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) for affected workers in the formal sector. CAMP provides qualified beneficiaries a one-time financial assistance of P5,000 and employment facilitation services.

Meanwhile, Go also shared his proposed Balik Probinsya program which, if successful, could benefit millions of Filipino workers nationwide who will no longer need to move to urban centers for better job opportunities.

"Sa tulong ng Balik Probinsya program, umaasa po ako na hindi na kakailanganin pa ng ating mga manggagawa mula sa probinsya na pumunta sa Maynila para lamang makahanap ng trabaho," Go said.

"Ipinangangako ko po na ipaglalaban ko ang programang ito para makalikha pa tayo ng marami pang trabaho at mapabuti ang buhay ng manggagawang Pilipino. Muli, maligayang Araw ng Paggawa sa inyo. Mabuhay po kayo!" he added.

Ending his message, Go remains optimistic that the country will overcome the challenges brought by COVID-19.

"Naniniwala ako na malalampasan natin ang krisis na ito. At nanatiling matatag ang aking tiwala na kaisa ng pamahalaan at ng buong sambayanang Pilipino ang hanay ng ating mga manggagawa sa hangaring manumbalik ang sigla ng ating ekonomiya sa mas lalong madaling panahon," he said.