Bong Go to prioritize healthcare service
ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR: “I will make quality medical services throughout the country my priority,” said former special assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go during his visit on Tuesday to fire victims in Zamboanga del Sur.
The fire in Barangay Kawit, Pagadian City, razed 110 houses, with about 180 families, and left six injured. Damage to property was placed at P1.2 million.
Go and his supporters visited the fire victims sheltered at the barangay (village) covered court and distributed grocery items, food packs, blankets, mats and cash assistance as well as shoes and school uniforms so that affected students can immediately go back to their classes.
He said he would contact his friends in various government agencies so that victims of the fire would be given additional aid, and would coordinate with the National Housing Authority for them to have the chance to avail of reasonably priced housing.
Go, who is running for the Senate in the midterm elections, spoke about his desire to address issues on healthcare service delivery in the country.
“There is lack of hospital beds in many areas in the country so that patients are already outside the wards,” he said, adding that he would help these hospitals acquire more beds so they could accommodate more patients.
Go also said, “With the help of local officials and national government agencies, we will put up a Malasakit center to serve indigent patients in Zamboanga del Sur.
“There are now 22 Malasakit centers nationwide and the government plans to put up more,” he said.
The Malasakit Center, a program of the Duterte administration, is a one-stop shop where satellite offices of the Department of Health, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Department of Social Work and Community Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and other relevant government agencies are housed together in one location to ease the process for patients applying for quick medical and financial assistance.
Go, who was integral in setting up the Malasakit Center program when he served as the President Rodrigo Duterte’s top aide, said he wants to push a law that would put more Malasakit Centers in various provincial and urban areas of the country.
“As long as you are a Filipino, you are qualified to receive assistance from the Malasakit Center,” the former SAP said.
Go’s legislative agenda includes programs for agriculture, housing, improved health service delivery, education, long-term sports development, localized peace talks, anti-drug and crime drive, anti-corruption drive, barangay welfare, senior citizen concerns and the creation of a Department of overseas Filipino workers.