The Philippine National Police (PNP) launched on Monday a Malasakit Center inside its national headquarters in Camp Crame that offers accessible frontline services and assistance to members of the police force and their dependents.

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, together with Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, led the ceremonial launch of the hub as a one-stop-shop for uniformed and civilian personnel, their dependents, and other clients of the PNP General Hospital who are in need of financial and medical assistance from Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other government agencies.

In his speech, Eleazar thanked President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Go for their unwavering support to the organization and for prioritizing the well-being of police officers and their dependents.

“Ngayong araw ay malugod at pormal nating pinasinayaan ang pagbubukas ng Malasakit Center dito mismo sa loob ng Camp Crame partikular na sa ating PNP General Hospital upang mabilis na maihatid ang agarang serbisyo at angkop na pinansyal o medikal na tulong para sa ating mga kapulisan at myembro ng kanilang mga pamilya, katuwang ang iba pang sangay ng gobyerno gaya ng (Today, we formally inaugurate the opening of the Malasakit Center right here inside Camp Crame, specifically at our PNP General Hospital to quickly deliver immediate service and provide appropriate financial or medical assistance for our police officers and members of their families, cooperating with other government agencies such as) PhilHealth, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and DSWD,” Eleazar said.

In the same event, the Office of the President (OP) also turned over financial assistance worth PHP10 million to the PNP General Hospital.

Go served as guest of honor and speaker at the ceremony where he was joined by Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo and former PNP chief and now Undersecretary Debold Sinas of the OP.

“Ako po ay handang magserbisyo hanggang sa abot ng aking makakaya, sapagkat ang bisyo ko po ay magserbisyo sa bayan. Kami po ni Pangulong Duterte ay palaging nakasuporta sa mga pangangailangan para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kapulisan (I am always ready to serve to the best of my ability because my vice is serving the people. President Duterte and I have always been supportive of efforts to address the needs and welfare of the police force),” Go said.

In 2019, Go principally authored and sponsored the measure that became Republic Act 11463, also known as the Malasakit Centers Act, after being elected as a senator.

The establishment of Malasakit Centers in various hospitals nationwide since 2019 under the Malasakit Center Act is one of the Duterte administration’s efforts to improve people-centered service delivery which complements the implementation of the Republic Act 11223 also known as Universal Health Care Act.

Go vowed to push for the passage of Senate Bill 2421 which seeks to provide a Covid-19 risk allowance in lieu of the special risk allowance and other financial compensation granted under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2).

As the nation continues to confront the pandemic, Go also praised the government’s efforts to accelerate the vaccination drive which has so far administered 54.8 million doses of vaccines, including 28.3 million first doses and 24.5 million second or single doses.

He renewed his appeal to the people to get vaccinated to achieve population protection and to further reopen the economy.

Go also distributed 15 bicycles, 15 tablets, and 20 pairs of shoes to medical front-liners who were present during the ceremony. (PNA)