Bong Go brings hope to hundreds of cancer patients in Davao City
SENATOR and chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography Christopher “Bong” Go honored the courage and strength of every cancer patient and survivor as he sent his team to deliver assistance to 431 cancer patients in the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City.
In his video message, Go saluted the patients for enduring their grueling fight against cancer.
“Nakakataba po talaga ng puso na makapiling kayo ngayon dahil alam ko po na napakarami niyo na pong pinagdaanan sa buhay at saludo talaga ako sa inyong katapangan,” Go expressed.
“Alam ko rin po kung gaano kahirap ang inyong paglalakbay patungo sa paggaling mula sa sakit na kanser. Pero sigurado po ako na ang inyong diwa at saloobin ay walang katumbas dahil pinagdaanan niyo na ang lahat,” he added.
Last July 18, the senator personally witnessed the turnover of funds from the national government to the SPMC for the installation of a new power supply for the operation of its positron emission tomography (PET) and nuclear medicine and cyclotron facilities. The said medical equipment are used to diagnose a variety of diseases, including cancers and heart diseases.
“Importante ang suporta na ibinigay ng Pangulong (Rodrigo Duterte), lalung-lalo na nasa panahon tayo ng pandemya. Ito ang pinakasentro na hospital at nandito ang heart at cancer centers at iba pang espesyalista. Bilang chair of the Senate Committee on Health, matagal na rin akong full support dito sa SPMC,” Go earlier said.
Holding the activity at the SPMC Children’s Cancer Institute, the senator’s team distributed masks and snacks to the patients. They also gave away new pairs of shoes, bicycles and computer tablets to select patients. The activity was held in batches in compliance with mandatory health protocols.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development also extended financial assistance to the cancer patients through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program. Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority offered qualified recipients livelihood support and scholarship grants, respectively.
“I believe that you deserve to be out there and live your lives to the fullest… This is why we in government are working hard to bring quality and accessible services to alleviate your medical condition with the high hopes that you can overcome it and lead a better and healthier life,” Go stressed.
In line with his commitment to improve access to quality healthcare services, Go offered additional medical assistance to the patients and encouraged them to take advantage of the Malasakit Center at SPMC. He reassured them that the center continues to assist poor and indigent patients in reducing their hospital bills to the lowest amount possible.
“Nandidito rin ang Malasakit Center. Hindi na kailangan pa humingi ng tulong sa iba’t ibang opisina ang mga kababayan natin. Noon, pupunta pa ‘yan sa kanto sa PCSO, lilipat sa PhilHealth sa Matina at DSWD sa Ramon Magsaysay. Ngayon, dito na sa isang kwarto sa building ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong sa kanila,” said Go.
Finally, Go reassured that he will continue to push for more programs that would help more Filipino patients across the country.
