Bong Go aids disadvantaged residents in Placer, Sison, and Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte as he highlights services of Malasakit Centers

In his video message, Go reminded the beneficiaries to take care of their health especially as the fight against COVID-19 continues. 

In line with his commitment to make certain that quality healthcare services are more accessible to poor and indigent Filipinos, Senator Go principally authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of Malasakit Centers in all hospitals managed and administered by the Department of Health, and in the Philippine General Hospital in Manila City. 

He then encouraged those with health concerns to visit Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City and Siargao Island Medical Center in Dapa where there are Malasakit Centers available to assist them with their hospital expenses.

“Meron na po tayong 152 Malasakit Centers sa buong bansa. Ito po ay batas na, isinulong ko po noon, pinirmahan ni (dating) Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte. Ang Malasakit Center po ay one-stop shop, nasa loob na ho ng hospital ‘yung apat na ahensya ng gobyerno at tutulungan po kayo, ang PhilHealth, PCSO, DOH, at DSWD. Zero balance po ang target ng Malasakit Center,” explained Go. 

Likewise, hospitals run by local government units and other public hospitals may also establish Malasakit Centers provided that they meet a standard set of criteria and guarantee the sustainability of the operation of their center, including its maintenance, personnel, and staff training, among others.

Moreover, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go supported the construction of Super Health Centers each in San Benito, Del Carmen, Alegria, Claver, Dapa, General Luna, and two in Surigao City. 

Advocated by Go, Super Health Centers are medium versions of polyclinics and are bigger than rural health units, which offer basic services such as out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit, among others. 

Meanwhile, held at the respective municipal gymnasiums, Go’s team provided shirts, masks, vitamins, and snacks to 4,570 struggling residents. They also gave away bicycles, shoes, cellular phones, umbrellas, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select individuals. 

Continuing his message, Go likewise thanked representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the financial assistance it extended to each disadvantaged household. 

“Mga kababayan ko, magmalasakit at magbayanihan po tayo. Malalampasan po natin itong krisis na ito bilang nagkakaisang mamamayang Pilipino. Maraming salamat po sa inyong kooperasyon sa ating gobyerno,” said the senator.

Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, also supported the construction of flood mitigation structures along Surigao River, rehabilitation of several roads, and construction of causeway in Brgy. Taft. 

On October 21, Go’s team provided similar relief to more struggling residents in Surigao City. (PR)