Bong Go reveals role in creating Malasakit Centers

BATANGAS CITY –Former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) and aspiring senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go revealed to local officials of Batangas how he helped President Duterte established the Malasakit Center program.

“May mga nagtatanong po sa akin kung bakit ko naisipang gawin at pangunahan ang proyektong ito. Ang sagot po diyan ay simple lang: Nakita ko kasi mismo ang hirap ng ating mga kababayan ‘pag sila ay nagkakasakit,” Go said.

“Mabigat po sa puso at mahirap tanggapin kaya naghanap po ako ng paraan kung papaano sila mas matutulungan ng ating pamahalaan,” he said.

Go has been active in the establishment of the centers and even after he left his post as Duterte’s top aide to run for the Senate, he continues to join invitations in his private capacity for the launchings of Malasakit Centers throughout the Philippines.

So far, 21 Malasakit Centers have been launched. The 20th was opened at the Batangas Provincial Hospital in the town of Lemery in Batangas last Jan. 8.

Being a Batangueño himself, Go expressed his gratitude to the agencies involved in the Malasakit Center for establishing one in the province. Go’s mother is part of the Tesoro clan who comes from Batangas.

Malasakit Centers help indigent patients obtain quick medical and financial help from government agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), PhilHealth, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).

Last Tuesday, Go met with some 300 officials of Batangas province and its municipalities at the auditorium of the Provincial Capitol in Batangas City.

Go thanked them for serving the public and reminded them of President Duterte’s directive to government officials to put the people’s welfare above anything else.