Go opens Malasakit Center in Marikina

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go led the opening of the 95th Malasakit Center at the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina City on Friday.

In his speech as the event’s special guest, Go pushed for the immediate release of COVID-19 hazard pay and risk allowances for medical frontliners.

He commended hospital employees, especially those assigned in Malasakit Centers around the country for fulfilling their duties to save lives and protect the rights of the people to access quality healthcare services from the government.

Go, who chairs the Senate committee on health and demography, said he would continue to fight for the welfare of medical frontliners and other healthcare workers who risk their lives in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a recent meeting, Go said he asked President Duterte and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to authorize the release of the delayed hazard pay and special risk allowances for medical personnel.

Go, vice chairman of the Senate committee on finance, has fought for the inclusion of additional funding in the 2020 budget for the salary increase of nurses in public hospitals.

He authored the Salary Standardization Law 5, which raised the wages of government employees, including nurses and teachers.