PASAY CITY -- More pandemic-affected communities benefit from Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s relief efforts as his team conducted a distribution activity for 1,000 indigents in Maragondon, Cavite on Wednesday, April 27.

In his video message, Go, who serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, reminded the beneficiaries to look after their health and encouraged them to avail of the services of any of the two Malasakit Centers in the province if they need assistance with their hospital expenses.

Go initiated the Malasakit Centers program in 2018 after personally witnessing how poor and indigent Filipinos across the country are having a hard time getting the medical attention they need mostly due to the expensive hospital services.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop that brings together all government agencies that offer medical assistance programs, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Zero balance po ang target ng Malasakit Center, hanapin niyo lang po ang Malasakit Center diyan po sa inyong lugar. Para po 'yan sa mga poor and indigent patients, para po 'yan sa mga Pilipino, lapitan niyo lang po ang Malasakit Center,” said Go, who primarily authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

The Malasakit Centers in the province of Cavite are located at Southern Tagalog Regional Hospital in Bacoor City and General Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Hospital in Trece Martires City. To date, there are 151 Malasakit Centers nationwide.

The senator then reminded the public to continue being cooperative and supportive of the government’s vaccination efforts. He also emphasized the need to continue adhering to the necessary health preventive measures to hasten the country’s return to normalcy.

“Mga kababayan ko, nandidiyan na po ang bakuna. ‘Pag nasa priority list na po, magpabakuna na ho kayo para po protektado po kayo. Kung mahal n’yo po ang inyong mga pamilya, magpabakuna na po kayo. Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” Go remarked.

The senator's outreach team enforced the necessary health and safety protocols during the relief operation at the Garita B Barangay Hall where they handed out meals and masks to the residents. In addition, they gave away bicycles, phablets and new pairs of shoes to select individuals.

Apart from the assistance provided by the senator, representatives from DSWD extended financial aid through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

As an adopted son of CALABARZON and Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported the acquisition and installation of street lights and solar street lighting system in various barangays in Maragondon.

He also supported various road improvements in the cities of Cavite, Dasmariñas, General Trias, Imus and Tagaytay; rehabilitation of covered courts in various barangays in General Trias City; acquisition of ambulance units for the local government of Indang and Trece Martires City; rehabilitation and improvement of the municipal fire station in Noveleta; and the improvement of a sports facility in Cavite State University in Indang.

Ending his message, Go expressed his gratitude towards the local officials of the town for ensuring their constituents' welfare especially amid the global health crisis.

“Magtulungan lang po tayo mga kababayan ko, magmalasakit po tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino at kilala naman po tayo na nagbabayanihan po. Sino ba namang magtutulungan kung hindi tayo lang po kapwa natin mga Pilipino,” he ended.

Previously, Go’s team assisted over 700 fire victims in Cavite City. (OSBG)