Go attends 147th Malasakit Center launch in Culion

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go personally attended the launch of the country’s 147th Malasakit Center the other day at the Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital (CSGH) in Culion, Palawan, where he vowed to push for improved access to health care services amid the ongoing national health crisis, particularly in far-flung communities.

This is the second Malasakit Center in Palawan following that at the Ospital ng Palawan in Puerto Princesa City, the 81st in Luzon and sixth in Region 4-B.

As chairman of the Senate committee on health and demography, Go said he would continue to push for improved access to health care services.

Go cited the challenges faced by many public hospitals as well as the struggles of low-income Filipinos that led him to initiate the establishment of the first Malasakit Center in 2018.

After being elected senator in 2019, Go principally authored and sponsored the measure that became Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act.

“Why give the people a hard time when we can place under one roof four government agencies – DSWD, PCSO, DOH and PhilHealth?” Go said in Filipino, referring to the Departments of Social Welfare and Development and of Health, as well the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

“I was not a senator yet when we established one in Cebu in 2018. When I got elected senator, more were added. Now all DOH hospitals are mandated to have Malasakit Center, and this is one of the latest hospitals with Malasakit Center,” he said.

Go stressed he would continue to fight for the provision of necessary resources to further enhance the capabilities and facilities of CSGH and other public hospitals nationwide.

He also encouraged the public to help the government and all health workers in the fight against COVID-19 by participating in the national vaccination program and complying with necessary health protocols.

“If you get the chance, don’t hesitate to get yourself vaccinated. Only 50 percent of senior citizens have been vaccinated. Nobody’s forcing anyone here, but senior citizens are vulnerable. If you want to help our health workers, get yourselves vaccinated,” he said.

Go’s team then distributed meals, grocery packs, masks and vitamins to 107 patients and 423 medical frontliners after the launch. They also gave computer tablets, bicycles and new pairs of shoes to selected beneficiaries.

Representatives from DSWD provided financial assistance to the patients and 279 rank-and-file CSGH employees.

During the event, President Duterte gave a short virtual message expressing his gratitude to the residents of Culion for their continuing support.

“The Malasakit Center is for you. That’s all we can give for now, and whatever else you need, we will give,” Duterte said in Filipino.

Considered as one of the most remote islands in the country, the municipality of Culion gave recognition to Go for being the first senator to visit and extend help to their small island.

After visiting Culion, Go then conducted a monitoring visit at the Malasakit Center in Ospital ng Palawan, Puerto Princesa City.

“I may have lost the debate in the Senate, but when it comes to fighting for the rights of the poor, you can count on me,” he said,

Despite joining the vice presidential race, Go said he remains focused on public service by helping Filipinos recover from the pandemic.

The senator also expressed his gratitude to Gov. Jose Alvarez, Culion Mayor Ma. Virginia de Vera, Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Bayron, CSGH head Dr. Arturo Cunanan, ONP chief Dr. Sonia Ulanday and other local officials.

In July 2020, Go was declared an “adopted son of Puerto Princesa” by the City Council in recognition of his efforts to assist residents affected by previous calamities.