Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s team provided assistance to struggling residents of Luna in La Union on Tuesday.
In a video message, Go maintained that he remains focused on improving the country’s health sector and in bringing government medical services closer to the people especially the poor.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go encouraged residents with health concerns to seek medical services from the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) in San Fernando City and visit the hospital’s Malasakit Center if they need medical assistance from the government.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that aims to reduce the hospital bills of poor and indigent patients to the lowest possible amount by covering various patient services and expenses. The Centers have been institutionalized in 2019 under Republic Act No. 11463, with 158 Malasakit Centers established nationwide.
“Ang Malasakit Center ay para ito sa mga poor and indigent patients. Para ito sa Pilipino at handang tumulong sa inyo ang Malasakit Center, lapitan niyo lang po ang pinakamalapit sa inyo,” said Go, principal author and sponsor of the law.
Go was also instrumental in the passage of a bill that mandated an increase in ITRMC’s bed capacity from 300 to 800 beds. To further make health care services more accessible, the senator also supported the construction of Super Health Centers in Pugo and San Fernando City.
Super Health Centers are strategically established in areas identified by DOH to ensure indigent patients get the medical attention they need without need to travel to hospitals located in urban areas. The centers offer out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, ambulatory surgical unit, and other basic services.
The senator also urged the public to complete their COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster shots to safeguard their health. He also emphasized the crucial role played by vaccines in the government's pandemic recovery efforts.
“Bakuna lang sa kasalukuyan para unti-unti na tayong makakabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay. Bakuna ang ating kinakailangan. Kaya magpabakuna na kayo dahil libre lamang ito. Kung mahal ninyo ang inyong mga anak, magpabakuna na kayo. Libre lang ito galing sa ating gobyerno ang bakuna,” Go said.
“Nakikiusap lang ako sa inyo, magtiwala lang kayo sa ating gobyerno dahil nagsusumikap kami na makabalik na tayo sa normal na pamumuhay. Unti-unti nang nagbubukas ang ekonomiya kaya ‘wag natin hayaan na mapuno ulit ang mga hospitals,” he added.
The senator’s team provided relief items including masks, vitamins, shirts and snacks, to 819 struggling residents gathered at the municipal gymnasium. They also distributed shoes and balls for basketball and volleyball to select recipients.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided financial assistance.
