PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go encouraged struggling residents in Quezon City to take advantage of the services offered by the nearest Malasakit Centers should they need help for their medical expenses.
In his video message during the relief activity mounted by his team for 333 residents in Barangay Old Balara on Monday, July 18, Go reiterated the importance of looking after one’s health and well-being.
The senator initiated the Malasakit Centers program in 2018 after he had personally witnessed the struggles of low-income Filipinos to access quality and affordable healthcare services. There are 151 Malasakit Centers nationwide, including 11 in Quezon City.
The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go primarily authored and sponsored, mandates all Department of Health-run hospitals and the Philippine General Hospital to establish their own Malasakit Centers to ensure that particularly poor and indigent patients can conveniently access medical programs offered by the DOH, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
In Quezon City, poor and indigent patients may seek the services of Malasakit Centers 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).
“Itong Malasakit Center po na ito ay batas na. Nasa loob na ng ospital ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong sa inyo para maging zero balance ang inyong billing. Nakikiusap din po ako sa bagong administrasyon na ipagpatuloy ang programang ito para mas marami pa pong Pilipino ang mas matulungan,” expressed Go.
The senator's outreach team ensured a safe and well-organized distribution by grouping the beneficiaries into smaller batches before handing out meals and masks. In addition, they provided bicycles, shoes and phablets to select individuals.
A team from the DSWD also provided financial aid through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation programs.
Continuing his message, Go urged those who are eligible to get inoculated to help the country return to normalcy.
“Nakikiusap po ako sa inyo na kung kayo po ay eligible na, magpabakuna na po kayo. Kung nais niyo pong bumalik sa normal na pamumuhay, magpabakuna na po kayo dahil ito lang po ang susi sa ngayon,” stressed Go.
“Tulungan niyo po ang bagong administrasyon na makamtan ang population protection at herd immunity. Para naman po ito sa kaligtasan ng lahat at para rin po sumigla na po ulit ang ating ekonomiya,” he added.
Go has likewise supported several initiatives in the city to further improve its public service delivery, such as the construction of multipurpose buildings, flood control structures and drainage systems.
He was also instrumental in 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-story multipurpose building at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo.
Meanwhile, Go likewise successfully pushed for the passage of Republic Act No. 11501 in 2020, increasing the QMMC’s bed capacity from 500 to 1,000 beds; and R.A. No. 11561 in 2021, increasing the EAMC’s bed capacity from 600 to 1,000 beds.
“Mga kababayan ko, alam ko pong mahirap ang panahon ngayon. Pero hindi po namin makakaya ito sa gobyerno kung wala po ang inyong kooperasyon at disiplina. Ipagpapatuloy lang po namin ang aming pagseserbisyo basta po magtulungan tayong lahat,” encouraged Go.
“Ang importante po ay makatawid tayo sa krisis na ating kinakaharap. Sino pa po ang magtutulungan kundi tayong kapwa Pilipino. Palagi po magdasal at malalagpasan din po natin ang lahat ng ito,” he ended. (OSBG)
