Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Sunday assured that the Duterte administration remains committed on its goal of making public service delivery more efficient, responsive and convenient who need government attention the most.
Go made the statement after virtually attending the launch of the country’s 137th Malasakit Center in New Western Leyte Provincial Hospital in Baybay City, Leyte on Friday, August 20.
The chair of the Senate Health Committee assured Filipinos that availing of medical assistance should not be as burdensome since efforts have been made to bring public services closer to the people.
“Tulad ng sabi ni Pangulong Duterte, sa Malasakit Center, hindi na po kailangan pumila at umikot sa iba’t ibang opisina para lang humingi ng tulong pampagamot. Ang gobyerno na ang lumalapit sa tao (As President Duterte said, no one has to queue or look for other offices just to avail of medical services. With Malasakit Center, the government itself will assist the person),” Go earlier emphasized.
He said the NWLPH is the fifth Malasakit Center in the province, after the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Tacloban City, Ormoc District Hospital in Ormoc City, Leyte Provincial Hospital, and Schistosomiasis Control and Research Hospital, both in Palo. The center is also the 27th in Visayas and 10th in Region 8.
President Duterte signed into law in 2019, Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act, which Go principally authored and sponsored.
At the same time, Go reassured medical frontliners he is fully committed to serve their welfare and benefits. He then appealed to the medical community to remain committed to their duties as he vowed to continue to promote their welfare.
“Ang ating mga frontliners, hindi mababayaran ang sakripisyo nila ngayong panahong ito. Kaya ako, bilang Committee Chair diyan sa Senado, ipaglalaban ko po kayo (We cannot repay the sacrifices of our frontliners especially during this time. As Senate committee health chair, I will defend your rights),” he said.
“Tulungan po natin ang mga pasyente na umuwi silang nakangiti dahil inasikaso sila ng inyong ospital, 'yun lang po ang pakiusap ko sa ating mga health workers (Let’s help our patients go home smiling because you are taking care of them while in the hospital. That’s all I’m asking our health workers),” he continued.
Likewise, the senator advised Filipinos to remain vigilant and help in the fight against COVID-19 and reiterated his call for those eligible to get vaccinated immediately for the country to attain herd immunity soon.
“Kailangan ang kooperasyon ng Pilipino. Disiplina ang kailangan para hindi na tumaas ang kaso at unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa normal na pamumuhay at mapalakas muli ang ating ekonomiya, (We need the cooperation of all Filipinos. Discipline is needed to ensure that cases won’t go up further and we can slowly return to our normal daily lives and revive our economy),” he stressed.