Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has called on the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to ensure that medical assistance will continue even during this holiday season. 

Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, made the call following reports the DSWD issued a deadline on the issuance of guarantee letters (GLs) last December 13. 

“There’s no need to impose any deadline to help our countrymen because no one chooses the day we get sick,” Go said. 

Go said it is imperative to provide unhampered medical assistance for Filipinos, particularly during the holiday season.

“What if our compatriots get sick during Christmas, do they have to wait until January 2 to avail help from the DSWD? I hope there is no deadline for this, our service should have no cut-off,” he asserted.

During a Senate Committee on Health hearing held last week, concerns were raised about the potential impact of the DSWD’s suspension of GLs starting December 13 on patients in need of medical assistance.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Ulysses Aguilar clarified the rationale behind the imposed deadline during the discussion, explaining that the cut-off applied solely to the processing of GLs, which the agency regularly conducts as part of its yearly clearing process for payments.

Aguilar assured that this doesn’t mean that DSWD’s medical assistance to patients in need have ceased, explaining that even while the issuance of GLs might be suspended, the agency will continue to extend medical support through its satellite offices.

But Go noted that this means, there is still limitation to the issuance of GLs, prompting Aguilar to respond in an affirmative.

But the DSWD executive said patients in hospitals who issue promissory notes to cover their remaining hospital balances could still receive assistance. 

Aguilar said this support would be processed by January, effectively treating the delay in their guarantee letters as a temporary setback rather than a complete cessation of aid.

Seeking an immediate resolution, Go proposed that the DSWD coordinate with hospitals to accept promissory notes during the GL suspension period. Aguilar, nevertheless, assured that the DSWD is taking proactive steps to address the issue. 

To this, Go reminded the DSWD of their responsibility to prioritize the welfare of every Filipino, especially those in dire need of medical assistance.

“Helping someone in need should have no deadline. I hope we can find a way to prevent this kind of problem from happening again,” the lawmaker stressed.