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Bong Go calls for greater gov’t attention to disability prevention, welfare of PWDs

July 22, 2022 People's Journal 216 views

As PH observes Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week

AS the country observes Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week every third week of July, Senator and chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography Christopher “Bong” Go appealed to the government, particularly the concerned agencies, to give disability prevention and the welfare of persons with disabilities more attention.

“I look forward to our continued efforts to support our fellow Filipinos who may have disabilities but are equally capable of contributing to nation-building and leading the same lives as everyone else as we observe the Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week,” said Go.

“Lagi kong sinasabi na walang Pilipino ang dapat maiwan. Lalo na sa panahon ngayon na may pandemya, mas paiigtingin pa natin ang ating kampanya para sa ating mga kababayang PWDs,” he added.

Pursuant to Proclamation No. 1870 (s. 1970), as amended by Proclamation No. 361 (s. 2000) and Adminstrative Order No. 35 (s. 2002), the annual commemoration of the week-long event aims to raise public awareness on the issues and problems related to disability and encourage everyone to actively participate in improving the economic and social circumstances of PWDs.

Go then reassured the Filipino people that he would continue to fight for their welfare by expanding access to better healthcare services and promoting inclusivity by bolstering policies and pushing for measures that promote equal opportunities for everyone. These include the Malasakit Centers program.

“Ang Malasakit Center ay isang one-stop shop kung saan naroon na ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno na makakatulong sa medical expenses ng lahat ng pasyente, inpatient man o outpatient,” said Go.

“Pinadali ng Malasakit Center para sa lahat ang medical assistance. Wala nang linya, at wala na ring mahabang proseso. Kaya para sa aking mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga PWDs, hindi na kayo mahihirapan pang pumunta sa ospital para magpacheck-up dahil nariyan na ang serbisyong makatao at maka-Pilipino,” he added.

In 2019, Go principally authored and sponsored the measure that became Republic Act No. 11463 which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. The law streamlines the provision of medical assistance from the government by bringing together the relevant agencies under one roof, namely, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of Health.

The primary aim of the Malasakit Center is to help reduce a patient’s hospital bill to the lowest possible amount by covering various services and expenses, such as surgeries, laboratories and medicines through existing medical assistance programs.

The centers also have special lanes for PWDs and senior citizens.

Go has also demonstrated his unwavering commitment to promote the health and well-being of Filipinos by pushing for measures in the 19th Congress to improve the public health system and increase access to healthcare services.

These include Senate Bill No. 198 which seeks to provide free annual medical check-up to all Filipinos and SBN 190 which provides a comprehensive dialysis benefit package to all PhilHealth members. Go also introduced SBN 421, which establishes the Emergency Medical Services Systems Council; SBN 195, creating the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and SBN 196, creating the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines.

Go also refiled SBN 194 or the E-Governance Act of 2022 to make the government more accessible to the public including PWDs. The measure seeks to mandate the digitization of paper-based and other traditional modes of workflows for a more efficient and transparent public service.

“Prayoridad ng gobyernong ito na masigurado ang kalusugan, kapakanan at kaunlaran ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Kaya buo ang aking suporta sa adhikain ng mga grupong nasa likod ng programang para sa mga PWDs,” said Go.

“Let us work together to further improve the system and provide our fellow Filipinos, especially the PWDs, the equity and prosperity in living,” he concluded.

In the 18th Congress, Go also co-authored RA 11650, which aims to enhance the quality of education in the formal learning sector by providing free support services as well as programs that are tailored to the needs of differently-abled learners.

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