THE Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, provided support for hundreds of indigents in Malolos City and San Ildefonso, Bulacan on Friday, May 6.

In his video message during the activities held at the Sports Complex in Malolos City and Barangay Garlang Covered Court in San Ildefonso, Go expressed his gratitude to DSWD for extending financial assistance to the 1,200 Bulakeños in attendance under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

Meanwhile, Go’s team gave away meals and masks to each resident. They also provided select individuals with new pairs of shoes and phablets, as well as bicycles for commuting.

The senator then encouraged those with health concerns to visit Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos City or Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria where there are Malasakit Centers available to assist them with their hospital expenses.

In line with his commitment to provide convenient access to quality healthcare, Senator Go primarily authored and sponsored Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act, that mandates the establishment of Malasakit Centers in all hospitals managed and administered by the Department of Health and the Philippine General Hospital.

Hospitals run by local government units and other public hospitals may also establish their own Malasakit Centers provided that they meet a standard set of criteria to guarantee the sustainability of the operation of the centers, including their maintenance, personnel and staff training, among others.

“Meron na po tayong 151 Malasakit Centers sa buong bansa. Ito po ay batas na, isinulong ko po noon, pinirmahan ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte. Ang Malasakit Center po ay one-stop shop, nasa loob na ho ng hospital ‘yung apat na ahensya ng gobyerno at tutulungan po kayo, ang PhilHealth, PCSO, DOH, at DSWD. Zero balance po ang target ng Malasakit Center,” said Go.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go also urged those eligible yet unvaccinated residents to get their jabs against COVID-19, noting that getting inoculated would not only boost their defenses against the virus but would also significantly contribute to the nation’s target of attaining population protection leading to herd immunity.

“Magpabakuna na ho kayo. Kung kayo po ay eligible na naman po at hindi pa bakunado, nakikiusap po ako na magpaturok na po kayo. Nakikita naman po sa datos na bumababa ang kaso dahil marami na po ang bakunado,” Go stressed.

“Libre po itong mga bakuna. Pinaghirapan po ito ng gobyerno at patuloy pa rin po ang pagkuha ng bakuna dahil gusto namin na lahat ng Pilipino ay protektado mula sa COVID-19,” he continued.

To help improve the public service delivery in Malolos City, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, has also supported the construction of a multipurpose building in Barangay Niugan, construction of bridges in Brgys. Anilao and Dakila, road and drainage improvement in Brgy. San Vicente, and the rehabilitation of Bulacan State University Activity Center.

Furthermore, he supported several projects in San Ildefonso, such as the construction of roads in Brgys. Calasag, Malipampang and Casalat; construction of a multipurpose building inside Bulacan Agricultural State College; rehabilitation of school buildings inside Maasim Elementary School; and the acquisition of 25 multipurpose vehicles.

Go was also instrumental in the passage of a hospital bill that would establish Joni Villanueva General Hospital in Bocaue.

“Kami po ni Pangulong Duterte ay patuloy na magseserbisyo po sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aming makakaya. Alam ko pong nahihirapan po kayo, kami rin po ay nahihirapan. Subalit kayo po ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin upang malampasan po natin itong krisis na ating kinakaharap,” said Go.

“Kayo po ang nagbibigay lakas sa amin na makapagserbisyo pa po sa inyong lahat. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat,” he ended.

On May 3, Go’s team also provided similar assistance to 500 struggling residents in Malolos City.