PASAY CITY -- In his video message during relief efforts conducted in Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte on Tuesday, December 7, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, reiterated the importance of protecting health as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
The senator encouraged the 2,000 beneficiaries in attendance to visit any of the seven Malasakit Centers in Zamboanga Peninsula should they need medical assistance from the government.
Prior to being elected as senator, Go has been dedicated to developing ways that would help low-income Filipinos with their medical expenses. This encouraged him to push for the passage of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act that was later signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2019.
“Noong naging presidente si President Duterte, sabi ko, ano bang pwede nating gawin na isang konsepto na pwede nating bilisan lang natin na makapagbigay ng serbisyo. Sinubukan namin sa Cebu, sa Vicente Sotto. Nilagyan namin sa isang kwarto ‘yung PhilHealth, PCSO, DOH, DSWD, mga representatives nila, inilagay sa isang kwarto. Ginawa natin ang Malasakit Center,” Go shared.
“Mga kababayan ko, mayroon na po tayong 149 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas. Tutulungan po kayo hanggang maging zero balance ang inyong billing. Lapitan niyo lang po ang Malasakit Center para po ‘yan sa Pilipino,” he continued.
Malasakit Centers are located at Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center in Pagadian City and Margosatubig Regional Hospital in Margosatubig, both in Zambonga del Sur; Zamboanga City Medical Center, Mindanao Central Sanitarium, and Labuan General Hospital in Zamboanga City; Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital in Dapitan City; and Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center in Dipolog City, all in Zamboanga del Norte.
Go’s team carried out the distribution activity at the Polanco Municipal Gym where they grouped the essential workers into smaller batches to receive meals, masks, and vitamins. Go also sent bicycles, new pairs of shoes, and computer tablets to select beneficiaries. The team strictly implemented safety and health protocols during the activities.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development gave financial assistance while the Department of Health provided additional supplies of masks.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture handed out supplies of vegetable seeds. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in turn, evaluated potential beneficiaries for their respective programs.
In line with the senator’s priority to look after the health and well-being of Filipinos, Go then urged the public to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible in accordance with the vaccination guidelines.
“Mabilis na ang ating vaccination rollout. Pakiusap ko lang sa inyo, kapag nasa priority list, magpabakuna na kayo. Magtiwala kayo sa bakuna, huwag kayong matakot sa bakuna,” Go expressed.
“Ang importante, protektado kayo. Kung mahal ninyo ang inyong anak at ang inyong pamilya, magpabakuna na kayo. Pakiusap lang namin ni Presidente Duterte sa inyong lahat,” he added.
Go, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, extended his support for various infrastructure initiatives in the province, including the concreting of a municipal road in Polanco. He also supported, among others, the construction of a multipurpose building, improvement of Sunset Boulevard, and concretion of barangay roads in Dapitan City.
“Mga kababayan ko, parating mag-ingat, magdasal po tayo. At tandaan niyo po, minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na puwede natin gawin sa ating kapwa Pilipino ay gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” said Go.
“Kami po ni Pangulong Duterte ay patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil para sa amin po, ang serbisyo po sa tao, serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” he ended. (OSBG)
