Senator Bong Go highlighted that improving the country’s healthcare sector remains his priority. In a video message during his team’s distribution activity in Sto. Domingo, Albay on Friday, 16 June, Go reiterated his commitment to helping ensure that necessary medical assistance is available in Malasakit Centers nationwide for indigent patients.
The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, cited that Malasakit Centers are instrumental in providing better access to medical assistance to Filipinos, especially the poor and indigent patients.
“Wala pa pong pandemya, itinaguyod na natin ang Malasakit Centers para matulungan ang ating mga pasyenteng mahihirap. Pumasok ang pandemya at mas lalong dumami pa ang natulungan ng mga Malasakit Centers. Susuportahan ko po ang operasyon ng mga Malasakit Centers dahil hindi po natin masabi baka po hindi pa ito ang huling pandemya na dumating,” expressed Go.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that brings together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to assist particularly poor and indigent patients in reducing their hospital expenses to the lowest 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 helped more than seven million Filipinos nationwide, according to the DOH. One such center is located at Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Legazpi City.
“Bakit natin papahirapan ‘yung mga kababayan natin kung pwede naman po natin ilagay sa iisang kwarto yung apat na ahensya ng gobyerno — ang DSWD, PCSO, DOH, at PhilHealth, na handang tumulong po sa inyo,” Go said.
Held at the municipal covered court, Go’s team distributed snacks, masks, shirts, and vitamins to 500 residents of Malinao and Sto. Domingo. They also gave away watches, shoes, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select beneficiaries.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go likewise supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Ligao City, Oas, and Polangui; rehabilitation of several roads in Camalig, Daraga, Jovellar, Legazpi City, Ligao City, Pio Duran, and Rapu-Rapu; and rehabilitation of flood control systems in Malilipot, Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Malinao, Manito, Oas, and Polangui.