THE Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go collaborated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development to provide support to underprivileged communities in Dipaculao and San Luis, Aurora province on May 26 and 27, respectively.

Held at the Dipaculao Evacuation Center and Bacong covered court in San Luis, Go’s staff distributed snacks, masks, and shirts to a total of 469 struggling residents. They also gave away shoes and cellular phones to select individuals.

Moreover, personnel from the DSWD provided assistance to qualified beneficiaries.

In a video message, Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, expressed his unwavering support for the establishment of additional Super Health Centers in the country, emphasizing their role in significantly decreasing hospital occupancy rates and bringing public health services closer to the grassroots.

“Patuloy po akong tutulong sa pagpaparami ng Super Health Centers sa bansa sa abot po ng aking makakaya. Sa mga itinayo ng Super Health Centers, nakita namin kung gaano kalaki ang naitutulong nito sa komunidad lalo na sa rural areas,” said Go.

“‘Yun po ang layunin ng mga Super Health Centers, ang ilapit sa mamamayan ang serbisyong medikal ng gobyerno,” he added.

Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. The Department of Health, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed.

In Aurora province, necessary funds have been allocated last year for the DOH to construct the Super Health Center in Dipaculao.

Go also urged the residents to avail of medical assistance from the Malasakit Center located at the Aurora Memorial Hospital in Baler. Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the DSWD, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital bills to the least possible amount.

To date, 157 operational centers have helped more than seven million Filipinos nationwide, according to the DOH.

“Sa mga pasyente, lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center dahil para ‘to sa inyo. Kung may hospital bill kayo, nandiyan ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong para mabayaran ito,” said Go.

In the end, Go commended the local officials for their diligent efforts in safeguarding the welfare of their constituents and ensuring that they are well-assisted especially during times of crises.

Go, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported several initiatives in the province that aim to create new economic opportunities and improve living conditions, such as the construction of Reserva-Ipil Road in Baler and Dipaculao, and acquisition of garbage trucks and water system improvement in San Luis, among others.

On May 5, Go extended similar assistance to disadvantaged communities in Dingalan. His team also aided struggling residents in Casiguran on May 12.