Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go reaffirmed that the government continues to balance the need to speed up the country’s economic recovery and the need to protect people’s health.
On Friday, Mar. 11, Go mentioned in his video message during a relief activity for a thousand struggling residents in Candaba, Pampanga, that he remains committed to ensuring quality health care services are accessible to poor and indigent patients.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go reminded the public to always make health their top priority, especially at this time of global health crisis. He then encouraged those in need of medical care to seek the services of any of the two Malasakit Centers in the province if they may need support for their hospital expenses.
Senator Go primarily pushed the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 wherein all hospitals administered and managed by the Department of Health, and Philippine General Hospital, shall establish their Malasakit Centers to provide poor and indigent patients with convenient access to medical assistance programs by concerned agencies.
In Pampanga, the Malasakit Centers are located at Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital in San Fernando City, and Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center in Angeles City.
“Mayroon na ho tayong 151 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong po sa inyo. Ang Malasakit Center po ay one-stop shop, nasa loob na ho ng ospital ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno – PhilHealth, PCSO, DOH at DSWD na tutulong po sa inyo hanggang maging zero-balance po ang inyong billing,” Go reassured.
“Iyan po ang Malasakit Center, para po ‘yan sa mga poor and indigent patients. Basta Pilipino ka, qualified ka po sa Malasakit Center,” he added.
Go then encouraged the residents to get vaccinated and receive their boosters immediately, once eligible, as the government has exerted great efforts to acquire these vaccines for the protection of Filipinos against COVID-19.
He likewise asked the local authorities to strengthen their vaccine efforts in their community and ensure that each member of the priority list is encouraged to receive their complete COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots.
“Kung hindi pa kayo bakunado, magpabakuna na po kayo. Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayo makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” Go emphasized.
“Kailangan lang po kooperasyon ng bawat isa. Kung mahal niyo po ang inyong mga anak at ang inyong mga pamilya, magpabakuna na po kayo. Libre po ito – itong mga bakunang ito, pinaghirapan po ito ng gobyerno, para po ito sa inyo,” he reiterated.
Go’s team conducted the distribution event at the Municipal Action Center where they handed out masks and meals to the 1,000 residents. They also gave bicycles, computer tablets, and new pairs of shoes to select recipients.
Meanwhile, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development granted financial assistance to each affected household as part of the government’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.
Adding to his remarks, Go lauded the local leaders of Candaba for spearheading their community towards recovery from the challenges caused by the global health crisis.
“Mga kababayan ko, kaunting tiis lang po. Alam kong nahihirapan po kayo. Kami rin po ni Pangulong Duterte ay nahihirapan din po. Subalit kayo po ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin na makapagserbisyo pa po upang malampasan natin itong krisis na ating kinakaharap,” Go said.
“Kami po ni Pangulong Duterte ay patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyo. Dahil para sa amin po ang serbisyo po sa tao, serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” he ended.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported some infrastructure development in the municipality to help improve public service delivery, such as the construction of a two-story multipurpose building in Barangay Mapaniqui and road improvements in Brgy. Pulong Palazan.
Go likewise supported the acquisition of new medical equipment for hospitals in San Fernando City and the towns of Bacolor, Lubao, Mabalacat, Macabebe, Porac, and San Luis as well as the construction of multipurpose buildings in Floridablanca, Santa Monica, Macabebe, Magalang, and Masantol, among others.
On Mar. 3, Go’s team also conducted a similar relief effort for indigent families in Guagua. (PR) – bny