Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, has reaffirmed his commitment to improving healthcare accessibility, especially for impoverished and underprivileged patients in need of government medical assistance.
During the relief operations conducted by his team in Minalin, Pampanga on 11 and 12 May, Go shared how witnessing the challenges faced by financially struggling Filipinos in accessing medical support compelled him to spearhead the Malasakit Centers program in 2018.
“Nagsimula ang Malasakit Center sa Cebu. Sinubukan namin ilagay ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno sa iisang opisina para hindi na kailanganin pang pumila sa iba’t ibang opisina at masayang ang ilang araw ng ating mga kababayan na humingi ng tulong,” explained Go, who is the primary author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
“Pera naman ng taumbayan yan. Binabalik lang sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng mabilis at maayos na serbisyo. Kaya basta Pilipino ka, lalo na mga poor and indigent patients, qualified ka sa Malasakit Center. Lapitan niyo lang po ang Malasakit Center diyan po sa inyong lugar at tutulungan po kayo sa inyong billing,” he added.
Across the country, there are currently 157 Malasakit Centers in operation, strategically established to facilitate more convenient access to medical assistance programs for the most financially vulnerable and indigent patients. They have now assisted over seven million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health.
These centers serve as one-stop shops where individuals can easily avail of the various medical and financial assistance provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
In Pampanga, Malasakit Centers are located at the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital and at the Overseas Filipino Workers Hospital and Diagnostic Center, both in San Fernando City; and at the Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center in Angeles City.
The relief activities were mounted at the Sta. Rita covered court where the senator’s team provided snacks and shirts to 166 indigent residents. They also gave away shoes and balls for basketball and volleyball to select beneficiaries.
A team from the DSWD also extended financial assistance.
Meanwhile, Go mentioned that the government continues to bring health services closer to Filipino communities through the establishment of Super Health Centers nationwide.
Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had 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.
Under the 2022 national budget, Super Health Centers in Pampanga were funded in San Fernando City and in the towns of Lubao, Macabebe, Magalang, Porac, and San Agustin. In 2023, more centers were identified to be established in the towns of Magalang, Minalin, Porac, Sta. Rita, and Arayat.
Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, likewise supported the funding of new equipment for hospitals in San Fernando City and in the towns of Arayat, Bacolor, Floridablanca, Guagua, Lubao, Mabalacat, Porac, and San Luis; and construction of multipurpose buildings in Arayat, Floridablanca, Santa Monica, Magalang and Masantol, among others. He was also instrumental in the construction of slope protection along Sapangbato River in Brgy. Margot in Angeles City.
Last January 26, Go was honored by the provincial government of Pampanga for advancing the province’s well-being and interests through its Resolution No. 7643-A. On that same day, former president Rodrigo Duterte was declared the province’s “adopted son” by virtue of Resolution No. 7643 in recognition of his significant contributions to Pampanga’s growth and prosperity during his presidency from 2016 to 2022.