The government needs to continue balancing the country’s economy and public health interest in the bid to safely reopen more businesses, Senator Christopher ‘’Bong’’ Go said.
Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, stressed this as he reiterated the need to continue the "Bayanihan" (community) efforts to accelerate the country’s economic recovery as he provided support to more struggling Filipinos in Quezon City.
On Thursday, Sept. 22, Go, together with Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and a team from Senator Francis Tolentino personally spearheaded the relief activity for 270 indigent residents in the city.
The distribution was held at the SB Park in Barangay Batasan Hills, where the residents received grocery packs, vitamins, masks, meals, and shirts. Others were also given cellular phones and shoes.
Go, who also serves as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, handed out bicycles and balls for basketball and volleyball to select individuals, citing how sports could encourage Filipinos, especially the youth, to stay away from illegal drugs and other vices.
Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also extended livelihood assistance grants.
Go offered to help those seeking hospital care as he urged them to go to any of the 11 Malasakit Centers in the city where they might conveniently avail of medical assistance from the government.
The senator from Davao has been focused on improving access to healthcare services to ensure that poor and indigent Filipinos get the health attention they need. In this regard, Go principally authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 which provides for the establishment of one-stop shops in all Department of Health (DOH)-run hospitals nationwide, plus the Philippine General Hospital in Manila City.
So far, 152 operational centers have been opened nationwide, including those at the Lung Center of the Philippines, Novaliches District Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, East Avenue Medical Center, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Philippine Orthopedic Center, National Children’s Hospital, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, and Philippine National Police General Hospital in the city.
To ensure better access to quality yet affordable healthcare, the senator likewise supported the construction of six Super Health Centers in Quezon City.
Go commended the local officials for their service and hard work to support their constituents during these challenging times.
He said he continues to support the construction of multipurpose buildings in several barangays.
Go, who is vice chair of the Senate Committee on Fiinance, likewise supported the construction of an advanced Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Vertical Expansion of New ER Building in East Avenue Medical Center, and rehabilitation of the road networks in Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center and Veterans Memorial Medical Center.
Earlier that day, the two senators provided similar assistance to more indigents in Malabon City.