BONG GO SENDS AID TO STRUGGLING RESIDENTS IN DUMAGUETE CITY, NEGROS ORIENTAL; REMINDS PUBLIC TO AVAIL OF MEDICAL AID FROM MALASAKIT CENTERS NATIONWIDE

On Thursday, November 10, hundreds of vulnerable residents in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental benefited from the Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s relief efforts.

In his video message, Go, who heads the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, reminded the public to prioritize their health and encouraged them to seek the services of any of the 152 Malasakit Centers nationwide, including one at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital in the city.

Go has personally witnessed the struggles of financially incapacitated Filipinos in getting quality health services. This led him to initiate the Malasakit Centers program in 2018 and later principally author and sponsor Republic Act No. 11463, which institutionalized the program.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office are brought under one roof to assist particularly poor and indigent patients with their medical expenses.

“Magsabi lang ho kayo o lumapit lang po kayo sa aking opisina at kami naman ay handang tumulong sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya. Para po yan sa Pilipino. Walang pinipili ang Malasakit Centers, lapitan niyo lang po ito,” reassured Go.

To ensure the safety of the beneficiaries, Go’s outreach team grouped the 225 indigents into small batches during the distribution held at the Barangay Taclobo gymnasium. They handed out masks and snacks to each resident and provided cellular phones, bicycles, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select beneficiaries.

Furthermore, representatives from the DSWD extended financial assistance.

Meanwhile, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, also remains committed to supporting infrastructure development in the province, including the establishment of a Super Health Center in Guihulngan City.

“Bilang inyong senador, meron ho tayong inisyatibo na Super Health Center. Ang Super Health Center po ay meron na pong laboratory facilities, minor operating and emergency rooms, pharmacy, birthing facilities, out-patient department, at dental service,” Go explained.

The senator also supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Guihulngan City, Vallehermoso and Pamplona; road rehabilitation in Amlan, Ayungon, Bayawan City, Bindoy and Santa Catalina; and acquisition of ambulance units for local hospitals in Dumaguete City, Siaton, Mabinay, Bayawan City and Guihulngan City.

Last October 26 and 27, Go’s team provided similar relief to more indigents in Dumaguete City.