PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher "Bong" Go urged the government to guarantee an equitable provision of support and services to families in vulnerable communities in light of the adverse impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other crisis situations.
“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 during a relief activity mounted by his team in Quezon City on Saturday, April 9.
“Sa mga pinaka-nangangailangan, kayo ang uunahin namin palagi ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte. Gagawin namin ang lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya para tulungan kayong malampasan ang krisis na ito,” he pledged.
The senator’s team distributed meals and masks to a total of 300 residents from Baangays Culiat, Pasong Tamo, and Tandang Sora at the Brgy. Culiat Covered Court. They gave select individuals new shoes and bicycles and provided others with computer tablets for their children’s learning activities.
He then lauded the continuing government initiatives to help families in distress, such as the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which also provided financial aid to the residents.
“Asahan po ninyo na kapakanan at interes po ng bawat Pilipino ang uunahin namin ni Pangulong Duterte… Hindi kami titigil sa pagtatrabaho para mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan ang kabataan at susunod na henerasyon habang unti-unting bumabangon ang ating bansa mula sa krisis,” the senator earlier remarked.
Meanwhile, Go expressed concern over the impact of the pandemic on the accessibility of other essential health services. He offered to help those in need of medical assistance and advised those struggling with hospital bills to seek further aid from the government at the nearest Malasakit Centers. Quezon City houses 11 out of the 151 centers established nationwide.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where patients can conveniently avail of medical assistance from the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. It has assisted over three million Filipinos across the country since 2018.
“Batas ito na aking isinulong at pinirmahan ni Pangulong Duterte. Mayroon na ngayong 151 Malasakit Centers sa buong Pilipinas at 31 sa Metro Manila. Ang target ng center ay zero balance para wala ng babayaran sa ospital ang mga poor and indigent patients,” explained Go, who is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
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).
