The Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, in partnership with the offices of Mayor Leonardo Valeda and Councilor Evangeline Bautista, has distributed much-needed assistance to indigent families in Obando, Bulacan on Monday, 17 July.
Go’s team distributed masks, snacks, and shirts to 56 struggling residents gathered at the Obando municipal hall. They also gave away pairs of shoes, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select individuals.
As chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go urged the beneficiaries to utilize the services of the Malasakit Centers at the Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos City, Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria, and Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte in San Jose del Monte City.
Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The one-stop shop aims to help impoverished patients by reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
To date, 158 operational centers have assisted more than seven million Filipinos nationwide, according to the DOH.
“Sa mga pasyente, lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center dahil para ‘to sa inyo. Kung may hospital bill kayo, nandiyan ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong para mabayaran ito,” said Go.
The senator then reiterated his commitment to supporting the establishment of more Super Health Centers across the country, considering how they can significantly help reduce hospital occupancy rates while bringing government medical services closer to the grassroots.
“Patuloy po akong tutulong sa pagpaparami ng Super Health Centers sa bansa sa abot po ng aking makakaya,” said Go.
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.
In the province, DOH has identified strategic locations to establish Super Health Centers, including the cities of Baliuag, Meycauayan, and San Jose del Monte; and the towns of Angat, Balagtas, Bulakan, Pandi, San Miguel, Guiguinto, Marilao, Obando, Paombong, Plaridel, San Ildefonso, and San Rafael.
Meanwhile, in line with his commitment to help uplift the lives of Bulakeños, Go, vice chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the rehabilitation of the Bulacan State University Activity Center and construction of a multipurpose building in Malolos City, construction of drainages, provision of medical equipment for local hospitals, improvement of the Pandi District Hospital, concreting of a farm-to-market road in San Ildefonso, and many more.