Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has called on the government to continuously provide easier access to medical and financial assistance to all Filipinos amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

As chairman of the Senate health and demography committee, Go issued the call after attending the virtual launch of the 73rd Malasakit Center at Romblon Provincial Hospital in Odiongan, Romblon last Tuesday.

The newly opened Malasakit Center in Romblon is the 2nd in MIMAROPA Region and the 35th in Luzon which, Go said, has an objective of ensuring that Filipinos get easier access to medical and financial assistance from the government.

Go added that the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop for indigent and financially incapacitated patients who need medical and financial assistance from relevant government agencies, specifically the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

In Malasakit Centers, patients or their representatives will only need to fill up a unified form to request assistance, instead of having to visit government offices scattered in various locations. In addition, an express lane for persons with disability and senior citizens is also available.

Go said that with the enactment of the Republic Act No. 11463, known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, all hospitals run by the DOH all over the country and in the Philippine General Hospital in Manila are now mandated to establish their own Malasakit Centers.

He stressed that hospitals run by local government units and other public hospitals might also establish their own Malasakit Centers provided that they meet a standard set of criteria and guarantee the availability of funds for the operation of their centers, including its maintenance, personnel and staff training, among others.

Patients who would be admitted to LGU-run and other public hospitals but are eligible for medical and financial assistance could also seek assistance from the Malasakit Centers.

Another function of these centers is to provide patient navigation and referral to the health care provider networks. Malasakit Centers can also provide patients information with regards to membership, coverage and benefit packages in the National Health Insurance Program.

Brgy. Election postponement

During his live video message, Go explained why he pushed for the postponement of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.

 “Naipangako ko po noong kampanya ‘yung postponement ng barangay elections dahil kulang ang dalawang taon ng termino nila (I have committed during the campaign the postponement of barangay elections because the two-year term is insufficient). This will give them more time to implement ‘yung mga programa nila sa barangay (...the programs in their villages),” Go said.

Signed by President Duterte in December last year, RA 11462 sets the next barangay and SK elections from the second Monday of May 2020 to December 5, 2022, and then on the first Monday of December 2025 and every three years thereafter. The law extends the term of the current barangay and SK officials from two years to four years and a half.

“Mga barangay natin ang pinaka-frontline ng ating gobyerno sa paghahatid ng serbisyo at sa kampanya natin laban sa iligal na droga at kriminalidad. Kaya dapat lang na mabigyan natin sila ng oportunidad at sapat na oras upang makapagpatupad ng kani-kanilang mga programa at proyekto,’’ Go explained. (Our barangays are the frontliners of our government in delivering the services and in our fight against the illegal drugs and criminality. We need to provide them the opportunity and sufficient time to implement their programs and projects.)

SSL 5 signed into law

 The lawmaker also stated that the Salary Standardization Law 5 (SSL 5) has been signed into law.

 “For the information po ng ating mga nurses at health workers, isa sa mga ipinangako namin ni Pangulo, ‘yung SSL 5. Ito po 'yung unti-unting pag-increase ng salaries ng ating government workers,’’ Go said. (For the information of our nurses and health workers, this one of our commitments with the President, the SSL 5. This is the staggered increase in the salaries of our government workers.)

  “Holistic po ang approach nito (The approach of this is holistic), not only nurses but doctors, health workers and other civilian personnel na nasa gobyerno ay kasama po rito (…in the government service are included here),” he added.

 Go emphasized the importance of adequate public health response to the current pandemic.

  “Napakahalaga po sa akin ng health lalo na sa panahong ito. Hindi natin akalain tatamaan tayo ng pandemyang ito. Mabuti na ‘yung maging handa tayo,’’ he said. (Health is very important to me especially at this time. We did not expect that we will be hit by this pandemic. It is better to be prepared.)

Go took the opportunity to commend the efforts of medical frontliners in the ongoing fight against COVID-19.

The Senator emphasized that the best way to recognize the sacrifices of health workers is for the public to cooperate with authorities and comply with the guidelines set by health officials.

Very recently, Go urged the government to declare year 2020 as the “Year of the Filipino Health Workers”. Last July 6, Malacañang Palace issued Proclamation 976, recognizing their vast contributions in the current fight against the pandemic.

“Higit sa lahat, sumunod tayo sa mga health and safety protocols in place. Huwag po tayo magkumpyansa. Gawin po natin ang parte natin sa laban na ito. Ang kooperasyon natin ay makakapagligtas ng buhay ng kapwa nating Pilipino, lalo na ng mga health workers na itinataya ang kanilang buhay upang mailigtas ang buhay ng iba (More than anything, let’s follow the health and safety protocols in place. Don’t be complacent. Let us do our role in this fight. Our cooperation could save the lives of our fellow Filipinos, especially the health workers who are willing to sacrifice their own lives to save the lives of others),” Go urged the public.

Addressing the people of Romblon during the virtual event, Go said that he would continue to serve as the bridge between the people and the government.

“Pangako ko po babalikan ko po kayo diyan kapag naging normal na ang ating pamumuhay. Tulung-tulong muna tayo. Unahin niyo muna 'yung lugar niyo diyan. Sumunod po tayo sa patakaran ng gobyerno. Para po ito sa kabutihan ng bawat Pilipino,’’ he added. (I promise to see you there once our situation normalizes. For the meantime, let’s help one another. Start with your place. Follow the guideline of the government. This is for the good of every Filipino.