Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go pledged to continue initiating and supporting measures to improve access to quality health care in far-flung areas around the country during the launch of the 150th Malasakit Center at the Batanes General Hospital in Basco, the capital town of Batanes, on Tuesday.

The said Malasakit Center is the first in the province and the fifth in Cagayan Valley Region.

The other centers in the region are located at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; Faustino N. Dy Sr. Memorial Hospital in Ilagan City and Southern Isabela Medical Center in Santiago City, both in the province of Isabela; and Region II Trauma and Medical Center in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

In a video message, Go lauded the efforts of the Duterte administration to enhance the delivery of key basic services for a more responsive government. He promised to continue supporting programs and projects that will foster the development of Batanes, particularly in the area of public health.

“Ako po’y natutuwa dahil nakaabot ang Malasakit Center sa dulo ng ating bansa. Kahit patapos na ang termino ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte … patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa mga kababayan natin sa Batanes dahil mahal namin kayo. Ilang beses na kaming nagawi ng Pangulo diyan noong mga panahon ng bagyo at lindol,” Go said.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop-shop that brings together the various agencies that offer medical assistance — Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

During his stint as Special Assistant to the President, Go opened the first Malasakit Center in Cebu City in 2018 with the aim of giving poor and financially incapacitated patients convenient access to quality health care.

He then authored and sponsored the bill that became Republic Act 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act, upon becoming a senator the following year.

The law mandates all DOH-run hospitals to open their own Malasakit Center. Other public hospitals, including those run by local government units, may also establish their own center provided they meet a standard set of criteria.

“Sa tagal kong nagtrabaho para kay Pangulong Duterte, alam ko ang problema sa baba. Karamihan sa ating mga kababayan ay nangangailangan ng tulong sa gamot at pagpapaospital. Minsan pipila pa sila sa kapitolyo at iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno para makahingi ng tulong. Ubos na panahon nila, ubos pa pamasahe nila (I have worked for President Duterte for a long time so I’m aware of the problems on the ground. Many of our countrymen need help on medicines and hospital admission. Sometimes, they have to line up at the capitol and different government agencies to ask for help. They spend a lot of time and run out of transportation money,” Go shared.

Now that there are Malasakit Centers where government agencies are in one room, the process is expedited, he added, noting that these facilities cater to all Filipinos, whose paid taxes made the establishment of these centers possible.

The senator, who heads the Senate Committee on Health, likewise promised to push for more legislative measures that will protect the welfare of the hospital staff and other health workers, such as Senate Bill No. 2421 or the COVID-19 Benefits and Allowances for Health Workers Act of 2021.

Under the bill, each medical front-liner is entitled to a monthly Covid-19 Risk Allowance, depending on their risk exposure classification for the duration of the national state of public health emergency. Additional benefits will also be provided in case of sickness or death. The measure, which Go authored and co-sponsored in the Senate, was recently approved by both Houses.

The senator once again called on local authorities and the public to continue cooperating in the fight against the pandemic. He reiterated the importance of observing the minimum public health standards and getting vaccinated and boosted to continue the downtrend in the number of new Covid-19 cases.

The government has obtained 225.9 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, 135.7 million of which have been administered as of February 28. About 62.3 million Filipinos have obtained their first dose while 63.2 million are fully vaccinated. Some 10.2 million individuals have also received their booster shots.

To further expand the vaccine coverage, the government opened the vaccination program to all young children aged 5 to 11 years across the country.

“Importante sa amin ni Pangulong Duterte ang buhay at kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Sumunod tayo sa mga patakaran at magpabakuna tayo. Kung mahal niyo inyong pamilya, magpabakuna na kayo dahil ito ang pinaka-epektibong paraan para maproteksyonan kayo (The life and health of every Filipino is important to me and President Duterte. Let us follow the policies and be vaccinated. If you love your family, get vaccinated because this is the most effective way to be protected),” Go appealed.

Following the ceremony, representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided 130 rank-and-file employees and 10 indigent patients with financial support under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

The senator thanked various officials for their assistance and efforts to improve the delivery of health services in Batanes. He specifically thanked Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr., Governor Marilou Cayco, Mayor Demetrius Narag, Vice Mayor German Caccam, and Chief of Hospital Dr. Jeffrey Canceran.

“Simula ng nahalal si Senator Bong Go sa Senado … siya ang ating naging tulay sa pagsisiguro na kami ay napapansin at napapakinggan ng pamahalaan, lalo na kay Pangulong Duterte. Maraming pondo ang naibaba sa amin … tuwing sinasalanta kami ng kalamidad (Since Senator Bong Go was elected to the Senate, he served as bridge to making sure we are given attention and heard by the government, especially President Duterte. A lot of funds have been downloaded to us, whenever we are affected by calamities),” Cayco said.

The governor thanked Go for all the assistance the Ivatans have received from the national government, and expressed hope that the people of Batanes will continue to get their needed help. (PNA)