128th Malasakit Center opens in Lianga, Surigao del Sur as Bong Go urges hospitals to extend all possible medical aid to poor and indigent patients
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go extended his warm congratulations to the people of Surigao del Sur on the launch of their first and the country’s 128th Malasakit Center at the Lianga District Hospital in Lianga town on Saturday, July 10.
The
Malasakit Center is the fourth in the Caraga region, after the Siargao Island
Medical Center (which opened on July 3), Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao
City in Surigao del Norte, and the Butuan Medical Center in Butuan City, Agusan
del Norte.
“Masaya
ako na mayroon na tayong 128 na Malasakit Center na handang tumulong sa mga
Pilipino. Kakabukas lang natin last week sa Siargao Island sa Surigao del
Norte. So, natutuwa ako na nadagdagan ang locations sa Mindanao at patuloy ang
pagbubukas natin sa buong bansa,” Go started in his remarks.
The
Malasakit Center aims to make medical assistance programs more accessible by
putting together all concerned agencies under one roof, including the
Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine
Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Its
primary task is to reduce a hospital bill to the lowest amount possible by
covering various patient services and expenses, pursuant to the Malasakit
Centers Act of 2019 which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate.
“Para
ito sa mga poor at indigent patients. Pakiusap sa mga hospital staff at social
workers, tulungan ninyo ang mga kababayan nating mahihirap. Huwag niyo silang
pababayaan. Bihira naman pupunta ang mga mayayaman sa mga pampublikong ospital.
Ang pupunta dito ay 'yung mga mahihirap na walang matakbuhan,” appealed
Go.
The
Senator, who is Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, further urged public
hospitals to use their funds wisely to provide medical care to its poor
patients. He also offered his assistance to those who cannot be treated locally
so they can obtain the care that they require at the larger health facilities in
Metro Manila or Davao City.
“Kung
kulang pa ang tulong ng mga ahensya, (may) pondo rin ang Office of the
President dyan. Wala ng dahilan para hindi natin sila tulungan. Gamitin niyo
ang pera ng gobyerno sa mga kapos palad natin na pasyente,” directed Go.
“Ngayon,
kung may hindi kayang operahan diyan, magsabi lang kayo at kami na ni Pangulong
(Rodrigo Duterte) ang sasalo sa kanila. Kaya ayaw magpa-check up at lumalala
ang kondisyon ng maraming Pilipino dahil wala silang pambayad. Magtutulungan
tayo para masalba sila. Iyan naman ang trabaho namin, ang makatulong,” he
continued.
Concluding
his remarks, Go thanked and recognized the medical community for all their hard
work and sacrifices during this pandemic. He assured them that the national
government is fast-tracking the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination program
throughout the country so it can vaccinate as many Filipinos as soon as
possible and minimize community transmissions of the virus.
The
Senator stressed that getting vaccinated not only protects an individual but
also reduces their risk of getting severe symptoms. He reminded concerned
authorities to follow the vaccination priority framework in order not to
jeopardize the success of the vaccine drive.
“Habang
patuloy tayong nagbabakuna, ‘wag tayo maging kumpiyansa dahil delikado itong
COVID-19. Target natin ma-achieve ang population protection this year at ang
herd immunity by early next year para unti-unti na natin fully mabuksan ang
ekonomiya. Iyan ang hiling namin palagi ni Pangulong Duterte,” said Go.
“Ang
importante ay buhay tayo at malampasan natin ang pandemyang ito. Kailangan
natin magmalasakit at magbayanihan. Hindi namin kaya ng Pangulo ito kung hindi tayo
magtutulungan,” he ended.
After
the launch, Go’s personnel distributed meals, food packs, vitamins, masks and
face shields to 96 medical frontliners. Select frontliners were given new pairs
of shoes while others received bicycles for their daily commute. Some were
likewise provided computer tablets to help their children with their school
activities.
In
addition, representatives from the DSWD also distributed financial assistance
to 82 rank-and-file hospital employees. Similar assistance were also extended
to 35 indigent patients.
“Nagpapasalamat
kami para sa Malasakit Center dahil nakahingi kami ng tulong sa mga ahensya
para sa pampagamot ng aking anak. Walang trabaho ang aking asawa ngayon at
walang-wala talaga kami. Maraming salamat kay Senator Bong Go at sa mga iba’t
ibang ahensya ng gobyerno para sa programang ito,” said Evelyn Cocon.
The
ceremony was also attended by Secretary Michael Dino of the Office of the
Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, Presidential Communications Secretary
Martin Andanar, Assistant Secretary Girlie Veloso of the Office of President,
Governor Alexander Pimentel, Lianga Mayor Novelita Sarmen, Tandag City Mayor
Roxanne Pimentel, and Chief of Hospital Dr. Josenita Quisil.
To
boost infrastructure development in the province, Go supported the funding of
several projects in Surigao del Sur including the concreting or construction of
roads in Barobo, Cagwait, Carmen, Madrid, Marihatag, San Agustin, Tago and
Tandag City; construction of an Indigenous People’s evacuation center and
multi-purpose center in Hinapoyan; construction of a public market in Lanuza;
and purchase of ambulances for Lianga, Lanuza and Cortes, among others.
