SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go lauded the government’s continuing commitment of improving access to health care as the country’s 140th Malasakit Center was launched at the Western Visayas Sanitarium (WVS) in Santa Barbara, Iloilo.

The 141st Malasakit Center was also launched later that day at the West Visayas State University Medical Center in the said city.

The WVS, a known referral hospital for leprosy patients, is the eighth health facility in the region and fourth in Iloilo to open a Malasakit Center, in addition to the Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City and the Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo.

“The opening of these Malasakit Centers are proof of our commitment to provide Filipinos the healthcare service they deserve. It shows how the current administration has kept its word in providing fast, accessible and reliable government services to our people,” Go said in a video message.

“Tuluy-tuloy ang pagbubukas nito sa Iloilo at sa iba pang sulok ng bansa. Basta kung ano ang makapabilis sa serbisyo at makakatulong sa ating mga kababayan ay gagawin natin,” he vowed.

The Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops that host the government agencies with programs that provide medical assistance to patients, particularly the poor and indigent. The agencies include the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, also known as the Malasakit Centers Act, which President Rodrigo Duterte signed in 2019. The Act, which Go authored and sponsored in the Senate, aims to help reduce a hospital bill to the lowest possible amount by covering various patient services and expenses.

In his message, Go recognized the frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) who are putting their lives on the line to care for their communities amid the ongoing pandemic.

“Pakiusap ko sa mga health workers, social workers, at doktor diyan, ‘wag niyo pabayaan ‘yung mga mahihirap, ‘yung mga hopeless at helpless na walang matakbuhan. Kahit ubusin niyo ‘yung pondo ng gobyerno sa kanila. Kaysa naman masayang pa sa korapsyon, ibalik natin sa mga tao ‘yung pera nila,” continued Go.

In return, the Senator, who heads the Senate Committee on Health, pledged to continue fighting for the welfare of HCWs, particularly those who are providing treatment to COVID-19 patients, as well as to enhance local hospitals so they have the resources and support they need to combat the pandemic.

“The more we should invest in health care… lalo na ngayon na kulang talaga ang mga ospital natin. Ramdam natin ‘yan ngayon. Punung-puno ang mga ospital sa Maynila…‘Yung mga hospital beds, dapat i-increase at kailangan din natin bumili ng mga karagdagang equipment dahil hindi natin alam kung ito ang huling pandemya na darating sa buhay natin,” continued Go.

In one of his latest legislative initiatives as committee chair, the Senator filed Senate Bill No. 2398 on September 14 which provides continuing allowances and benefits to HCWs during the state of public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The said bill aims to provide all HCWs, regardless of their employment status, a fixed monthly COVID-19 special risk allowance on top of the hazard pay granted under the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers. It will also give an additional monthly Active Hazard Duty Pay exclusively for public HCWs in addition to what the law already provides.

“Itong bill po para patuloy ang pagbigay ng mga Special Risk Allowance sa ating mga frontliners ay kinonsulta ko po sa DOH. Para sa akin, dapat fixed (amount monthly) na lang po ‘yung SRA,” Go suggested as stated in his bill.

“Sabi kasi nila, may exposed at may hindi exposed sa COVID-19 kaya para sa exposed lang daw ang SRA… pero hindi naman natin nakikita itong COVID-19. Pagpasok mo sa ospital, hindi mo na alam sa mga nakasalubong mo ang posibleng may COVID-19 na. Yan ang ‘risk’ na hinaharap nila bawat pasok nila sa trabaho,” Go explained further.

“Kaya dapat po’y walang pili na lang dahil buhay po ang sinasakripisyo ng ating mga frontliners dito. Bigyan po natin sila ng tamang insentibo na dapat na ibigay sa ating mga health workers,” he added.

Following the ceremony, the Senator’s team distributed meals, food packs, vitamins, masks and face shields to a total of 468 healthcare workers and 123 indigent patients.

Go’s team provided select HCWs with new pairs of shoes while others were given bicycles. Some also received computer tablets which their children can use for their education.

In addition, the DSWD distributed financial assistance to indigent patients and 406 rank-and-file hospital employees, including janitors and security guards.

Go thanked the many individuals who worked together to provide the people of Iloilo with better healthcare services. He recognized Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, Assistant Secretary Girlie Veloso of the Office of the President, 2nd District Representative Michael Gorriceta, Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., Mayor Rema Somo, and WVS Hospital Chief Dr. Judy Ann Dumayas, among others.

“Patuloy po ako na umiikot sa buong Pilipinas. Noong isang buwan, pumunta ako ng Basilan para magbukas ng Malasakit Center doon. Muntik na kami nadisgrasya ng sinakyan kong helicopter. Sabi ko, hindi ako takot mamatay dahil naniniwala ako kung panahon na natin sa mundong ito, panahon na natin,” recalled Go.

“At naisip ko noong panahon na iyon na kung saka-sakaling matuluyan ako, isang karangalan na mamatay na nagseserbisyo sa mga kababayan ko, dahil bihira ang pagkakataon na bibigyan ka ng Diyos para magserbisyo sa inyong bayan,” he ended.

The Senator’s team distributed relief to thousands of residents from various vulnerable sectors in Santa Barbara, San Enrique and Passi on the same day. All activities were carried out in batches to ensure strict compliance with the health and safety protocols against COVID-19.