Urges residents to avail of Malasakit Center services

As he and his team personally provided assistance to fire victims from Barangays Apolonio Samson and Roxas in Quezon City on Wednesday, February 8, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go encouraged Filipinos to utilize the services offered by Malasakit Centers around the country in the event of medical emergencies and other medical related concerns.

In his message to the residents, Go, who Chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered additional assistance to those in need of medical care and encouraged them to visit any of the 11 Malasakit Centers in Quezon City or 154 centers nationwide if they need help with their hospital bills.

“Mayroon na ho tayong 154 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong sa inyo. Batas na po ito, isinulong ko noon sa tulong po ng mga kasamahan ko sa Kongreso, pinirmahan ni (dating) pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte,” explained Go.

“It’s a one-stop shop. Nasa loob na ho ng hospital ‘yung apat na ahensya ng gobyerno – PhilHealth, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Department of Health, at Department of Social Welfare and Development. Ang Malasakit Center po, para po ‘yan sa mga poor and indigent patients, para po ‘yan sa Pilipino,” added Go.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where particularly poor and indigent patients can conveniently apply for medical assistance from the relevant agencies. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

In Quezon City, patients may seek the services of Malasakit Centers at the Lung Center of the Philippines, Novaliches District Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, East Avenue Medical Center, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Philippine Orthopedic Center, National Children’s Hospital, Philippine National Police General Hospital, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center.

During the visit, Go and his team distributed relief items including grocery packs, shirts, snacks and masks to 600 affected families of Brgy. Apolonio Samson at the Masambong Elementary School; and 94 affected families of Brgy. Roxas at the Brgy. Roxas Multi-Purpose Building. There were also select recipients of bicycles, cellular phones, shoes, bags, watches, and balls for basketball and volleyball.

Moreover, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended cash assistance to the families to help in their recovery. Meanwhile, a team from the National Housing Authority also conducted an assessment to determine those who are eligible for housing aid.

“Nandito po ang ating DSWD, may programang AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation)… Kaya po bibigyan po kayo ng financial assistance… Palakpakan po natin ang ating DSWD,” said Go.

“Nandirito rin po ang ating NHA, mag-a-assess rin po ang NHA para sa programang EHAP (Emergency Housing Assistance Program). Kung sino ho ‘yung magku-qualify, may programa po tayo na inisyatibo po natin noon para mabigyan po kayo ng pambili ng housing materials through program po ng NHA,” he added.

In a bid to institutionalize housing programs for victims of fires and natural disasters, Go filed Senate Bill Nos. 192 and 426.

SBN 192, otherwise known as the Rental Housing Subsidy Program, aims to provide better access to adequate, sustainable and habitable shelter for Filipinos affected by disasters and other crisis situations through rental subsidies from the government.

On the other hand, SBN 426 or the National Housing Development, Production and Financing Program seeks to increase housing production by forging partnerships among relevant stakeholders to address the social housing demands of the Filipino families.

As proposed, the bill shall generate and mobilize funds to guarantee the development of a sustainable, accessible, and affordable housing financing system for the country’s informal settlers.

Meanwhile, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and its attached key shelter agencies, shall intensify the implementation of the vital components of the NHDPF program.

Also serving as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported the construction of multipurpose buildings, flood control structures, and drainage systems in Quezon City. On January 16, Go attended the inauguration of two multipurpose buildings in Barangays Batasan Hills and Commonwealth.

He likewise supported the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center and VMMC road networks, road and drainage improvement works along the Quirino Highway and P. Dela Cruz Road, construction of an advanced cardiac catheterization laboratory and expansion of the new emergency room building at the EAMC, and construction of a five-story multipurpose building at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo.

Go has also successfully pushed for the passage of Republic Act No. 11501 in 2020, increasing the QMMC’s bed capacity from 500 to 1,000 beds; and R.A. No. 11561 in 2021, increasing the EAMC’s bed capacity from 600 to 1,000 beds.

In the end, Go thanked the local officials of Quezon City for providing their constituents with much-needed support. He also assured Filipinos that his office is always open to listen to their concerns.

“Sana po ay napasaya namin kayo sa panahon na malungkot kayo at nasunugan. Uulitin ko po, bukas po ang aking opisina para sa inyo. Sa mga kababayan ko, nandirito lang po ako. Trabaho naman namin bilang senador ang constituency services, legislation at representation,” said Go.

“At ‘yan po ang ipinangako ko sa inyo noon… Kung kaya lang po ng aking katawan at panahon, pupuntahan ko po kayo para makatulong sa abot ng aking makakaya, makapagbigay ng solusyon sa inyong mga suliranin, at makaiwan po ng kaunting ngiti sa panahon po ng inyong pagdadalamhati at ‘yun lang po,” he concluded.

After the activities in Quezon City, Go proceeded to Imus, Cavite to inspect the progress of the Super Health Center there and provide similar assistance to fire victims and indigents.