PASAY CITY -- In light of the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other crisis situations, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged the government to ensure the equitable distribution of aid to households in underserved and vulnerable communities.
During an activity in Quezon City on Tuesday, March 8, he praised ongoing efforts, such as the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which aim to provide families with additional resources.
“Iyung mga mahihirap, sila po ang pinaka-apektado ng sitwasyon ngayon. Kaya dapat unahin natin silang pagsilbihan para mabigyan sila ng pagkakataong makabangon muli at maibalik sa normal ang kanilang pamumuhay,” Go said in a video message.
“Sa mga pinaka-nangangailangan, kayo ang uunahin namin palagi ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte. Gagawin namin ang lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya para tulungan kayo malampasan ang krisis na ito,” he pledged.
The senator’s team distributed meals and masks to a total of 833 residents at the Theresa Heights Subdivision basketball court in Barangay Pasong Putik. They gave select individuals new shoes and bicycles and provided others with computer tablets for their children’s learning activities.
Moreover, personnel from the DSWD provided financial assistance under the AICS program to cover other pressing needs.
In his message, Go expressed concern that the pandemic had reduced access to specific types of care and offered to assist those in need of medical assistance. He advised those struggling with hospital bills to seek further aid from the government at any of the 11 Malasakit Centers located in the city as part of the 151 centers established nationwide.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where patients can conveniently avail medical assistance from the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. It has assisted over three million Filipinos nationwide since 2018.
“Batas ito na aking isinulong at pinirmahan ni Pangulong Duterte. Mayroon na ngayong one hundred and fifty-one Malasakit Centers sa buong Pilipinas at tatlumpu't isa sa Metro Manila. Ang target ng center ay zero balance para wala ng babayaran sa ospital ang mga poor and indigent patients,” explained Go.
A Malasakit Center has been opened each at the Lung Center of the Philippines, Novaliches District Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children's Medical Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC), Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), Philippine Orthopedic Center, National Children's Hospital, Philippine National Police General Hospital, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC).
The senator went on to thank local officials for their efforts to serve and support the needs of their affected constituents.
As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported the construction of various multipurpose buildings, flood control structures, and drainage systems throughout Quezon City.
Other major initiatives include the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center and VMMC road networks; road and drainage improvement works along the Quirino Highway and P. dela Cruz Road; construction of an advanced cardiac catheterization laboratory and expansion of the new emergency room building at the EAMC; and construction of a five-storey multipurpose building at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo.
Furthermore, he also successfully pushed for the passage of Republic Act No. 11501 in 2020 which increases the QMMC’s bed capacity from 500 to 1,000 beds, and R.A. No. 11561 in 2021 which increases the EAMC’s bed capacity from 600 to 1,000 beds.
In demonstration of his commitment to protecting Quezon City residents, a similar activity was conducted for 1,000 households in crisis in Brgy. Apolonio Samson on Thursday, March 3.
All distributions were held in batches to ensure the strict observance of the health and safety protocols against COVID-19. (OSBG)
