By Mario Casayuran
Neophyte Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has joined national and local government officials in the launching of the Malasakit Center at the Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital in Iligan City, providing easier and better access to government medical assistance to residents of the city and nearby towns and cities.
(Senator Bong Go / MANILA BULLETIN)
The Malasakit Center in Iligan is the 43rd in the country and 12th in Mindanao. The Malasakit Center was conceptualized by Go, former aide and Special Assistant to President Duterte.
The launch was led by Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV). OPAV was a partner of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President in establishing earlier Malasakit Centers when Go was still with the executive branch.
In his message, Go said healthcare is one of the priorities of the President, which prompted him to file a bill institutionalizing Malasakit Centers in the country.
“Prayoridad po namin ni Pangulong Duterte ang kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Gusto po niya na maging libre na ang pagpapagamot, lalo na para sa mga mahihirap. Sa katunayan nga po, nabanggit ni Tatay Digong sa kanyang SONA nitong taon ang hangad niya na lumawak pa ang sakop ng mga Malasakit Center sa bansa,” Go said. (Along with President Duterte, our priority is the health of every citizen. He wants free medical care, particularly for the poor. In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Duterte wants to widen the scope of the Malasakit Centers.)
‘’Dahil sa kagustuhang ito ng Pangulo, nag-file po ako noong Hulyo sa Senado ng Malasakit Center Act of 2019 na layuning i-institutionalize na ang mga centers na ito sa lahat ng DOH-run hospitals para mas marami pa silang Pilipino na matulungan,” the senator added. (Following the wishes of the President, I filed a bill last July the Malasakit Center Act of 2019 which seeks to institutionalize these centers at Department of Health (DOH)-run hospitals for the majority of Filipinos.)
Go’s measure, Senate Bill 1076, “An Act Establishing Malasakit Centers in all Department of Health Hospitals in the Country, and providing funds,” aims to “provide medical and financial assistance to indigent and financially incapacitated patients” through one-stop shops called Malasakit Centers.
The process of providing government assistance to the recipients is streamlined in these offices.
The bill has so far received enormous support from other senators and the Lower House has also started deliberations on similar measures.
Go is chairman of the Senate health committee.
Asked about his other plans to improve the country’s healthcare system, Go said that he has filed for additional measures addressing other health concerns of Filipinos.
(Senator Bong Go / MANILA BULLETIN)
The Malasakit Center in Iligan is the 43rd in the country and 12th in Mindanao. The Malasakit Center was conceptualized by Go, former aide and Special Assistant to President Duterte.
The launch was led by Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV). OPAV was a partner of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President in establishing earlier Malasakit Centers when Go was still with the executive branch.
In his message, Go said healthcare is one of the priorities of the President, which prompted him to file a bill institutionalizing Malasakit Centers in the country.
“Prayoridad po namin ni Pangulong Duterte ang kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Gusto po niya na maging libre na ang pagpapagamot, lalo na para sa mga mahihirap. Sa katunayan nga po, nabanggit ni Tatay Digong sa kanyang SONA nitong taon ang hangad niya na lumawak pa ang sakop ng mga Malasakit Center sa bansa,” Go said. (Along with President Duterte, our priority is the health of every citizen. He wants free medical care, particularly for the poor. In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Duterte wants to widen the scope of the Malasakit Centers.)
‘’Dahil sa kagustuhang ito ng Pangulo, nag-file po ako noong Hulyo sa Senado ng Malasakit Center Act of 2019 na layuning i-institutionalize na ang mga centers na ito sa lahat ng DOH-run hospitals para mas marami pa silang Pilipino na matulungan,” the senator added. (Following the wishes of the President, I filed a bill last July the Malasakit Center Act of 2019 which seeks to institutionalize these centers at Department of Health (DOH)-run hospitals for the majority of Filipinos.)
Go’s measure, Senate Bill 1076, “An Act Establishing Malasakit Centers in all Department of Health Hospitals in the Country, and providing funds,” aims to “provide medical and financial assistance to indigent and financially incapacitated patients” through one-stop shops called Malasakit Centers.
The process of providing government assistance to the recipients is streamlined in these offices.
The bill has so far received enormous support from other senators and the Lower House has also started deliberations on similar measures.
Go is chairman of the Senate health committee.
Asked about his other plans to improve the country’s healthcare system, Go said that he has filed for additional measures addressing other health concerns of Filipinos.