113th Malasakit Center opens in San Pablo, Laguna

MANILA, Philippines — In demonstration of the government’s commitment to expanding health care and making access to it more convenient and affordable, especially for poor and indigent patients, Sen. Bong Go personally attended the launch of the 113th Malasakit Center in the country at the San Pablo City General Hospital (SPCGH) in Laguna on Thursday.

The SPCGH is the ninth hospital in Calabarzon and second in the province to establish its own Malasakit Center.

Go was special assistant to the President when the first Malasakit Center opened at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City in 2018.

The center brings under one roof agencies, such as the Departments of Health and Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, from which poor and indigent patients may seek medical assistance.

Go encouraged the public to continue being vigilant and cooperate with authorities to prevent the spread of COVID-19 so the country can stay on the path toward recovery.

He also urged them to get vaccinated in accordance with the order of priority once given the opportunity.

“Pakiusap, huwag tayo maging kumpiyansa. Magtulungan at maging displinado tayo. Konting tiis lang, alam namin na hirap na hirap na kayo. Hirap din kami ni Pangulo pero kayo ang nagbibigay ng lakas sa amin para magtrabaho pa,” Go said.

“Huwag kayong matakot dahil patuloy ang pagbabakuna. Ang bakuna ang susi upang makabalik tayo sa normal nating pamumuhay. Wala man itong pilitan, intindihin natin na ito ang solusyon para ma-achieve natin ang herd immunity sa community level ngayong taon,” he added.

To show his appreciation for medical frontliners, Go’s team distributed meals, food packs, vitamins, face masks and face shields to 155 health workers and 30 indigent patients after the ceremony.

The senator’s staff also gave new pairs of shoes and bicycles to selected frontliners so they can commute to work with ease.

Other beneficiaries received computer tablets, which their children can use under the so-called blended learning setup.