PASAY CITY -- After the successful launch of the 138th Malasakit Center in the capital town of Jolo, the team of Senator Christopher "Bong" Go conducted a series of relief efforts for a total of 3,053 beneficiaries, mainly composed of market vendors and Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association members, in Maimbung, Sulu on September 4 and 5.

Senator Go, as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, reiterated in his video message the importance of looking after one's health and well-being, especially during a national health crisis as he encouraged the essential workers to seek medical assistance when needed in any of the two Malasakit Centers in the province.

The Malasakit Centers are located at Sulu Provincial Hospital and Sulu Sanitarium, both in Jolo.

After witnessing the struggles of Filipinos to access medical assistance from the government, Go has been committed to developing ways to ensure that particularly poor and indigent patients have convenient access to quality health care services.

He earlier authored and sponsored in the Senate the measure that became Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which put partnered agencies, such as DOH, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, under one office inside public hospitals to assist Filipinos in paying their medical expenses.

"Ang Malasakit Center po batas na 'yan, isinulong ko noon, noong nag-senador po ako, pinirmahan ni Pangulong Duterte. Ang target po niyan zero balance, para po 'yan sa mga poor and indigent patients," Go explained.

"Kaya sabi ko noong naging senador po ako, siguraduhin nating maisabatas po ito para kahit hindi na ho ako senador, 'pag hindi na ho pangulo si Pangulong Duterte ay tuluy-tuloy po itong programang ito. Ang importante po rito ay makakatulong po sa ating mga kababayan," he added.

Conducted at Maimbung Poblacion Tricovered Court, Go's team divided the beneficiaries into smaller batches per day in accordance with the necessary safety and health protocols that were strictly observed.

The essential workers then received relief items, such as meals, masks, face shields, and vitamins. Some recipients even brought home new pairs of shoes, bicycles, and computer tablets.

Meanwhile, DSWD gave financial assistance to each beneficiary while DOH conducted free medical check-ups and provided additional supplies of masks.

Lastly, the Department of Agriculture evaluated potential individuals who can take part in their program that will focus on helping the agricultural and fishing communities of the town.

Continuing his message, Senator Go reminded the public to strictly adhere to the health preventive measures against COVID-19 and pushed them to participate in the free vaccination program to further safeguard them from the virus.

"May paalala lang po kami ni Pangulong Duterte sa inyo mga kababayan ko. 'Pag nasa priority list na po kayo ng ating vaccination program, pakiusap lang po magpabakuna na po kayo," Go appealed.

"Magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna, huwag ho kayong matakot sa bakuna. Iyan lang po ang ating pag-asa ngayon. There is light at the end of the tunnel," he continued.

Go, who is the Vice Chair of Senate Committee on Finance, supported infrastructure initiatives in Sulu to improve public service delivery and economic growth for the underserved communities. Among these are the construction of an intensive care unit complex at the Sulu Provincial Hospital, rehabilitation of the Jolo Mainland Water District, as well as construction or improvement of roads, seawalls and multi-purpose buildings in various areas in Sulu.

The Senator then extended his appreciation towards several government officials for making certain that their community builds back better from the challenges brought by the global pandemic.

Among the officials were Representatives Samier Tan and Shernee Tan; Governor Abdusakar Tan; Vice Governor Toto Tan; Mayor Hja. Shihla Tan Hayudini; Vice Mayor Aiman Tan, and many others.

"Sa lahat po ng mga government agencies na tumulong diyan, maraming salamat po sa inyo. Huwag niyo pong pabayaan ang ating mga kababayang mahihirap po. 'Yan po ang pakiusap namin sa inyong lahat," Go said.

"Mga kababayan ko, alam ko pong nahihirapan kayo. Kami po ni Pangulong Duterte ay nahihirapan din po kami. Subalit, kayo po ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin na makapagtrabaho at makapagserbisyo pa po sa inyong lahat para malampasan po natin itong krisis na ito," he ended. (OSBG)

 This free site is ad-supported. Learn more
​