ON Wednesday, April 17, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go lauded the medical and dental mission in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, led by Governor Rhodora Cadiao and Vice Governor Edgar ‘Ed’ Denosta. This health initiative demonstrated the local government’s unified effort to improve public health, providing around 470 residents with free medical consultations, dental services, and medications.
“Taos-puso akong nagpapasalamat at nagpupugay sa lokal na pamahalaan ng San Jose de Buenavista, Antique sa kanilang walang pagod na paglilingkod at sa matagumpay na medical at dental mission na kanilang isinagawa,” expressed Go.
“Nakakataba ng puso ang makita na ang ating mga kababayan sa Antique ay nakakatanggap ng kinakailangang serbisyong medikal at dental. Ang inyong pagsisikap na maabot at matulungan ang ating mga kababayang nangangailangan ay tunay na kahanga-hanga at nagpapakita ng malasakit at dedikasyon na kailangan natin upang mapabuti ang kalagayan ng bawat Pilipino,” he added.
Go’s Malasakit Team also joined and extended assistance to some beneficiaries of the medical mission, such as snacks, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball.
As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Senator Go reaffirmed his steadfast commitment to supporting similar health initiatives, assuring the public of his ongoing dedication.
Through the collective efforts of Go with fellow lawmakers, Department of Health, and local government units, sufficient funds have been allocated for more than 700 Super Health Centers, including four in Antique. Go explained that the Super Health Centers are intended as medium-sized polyclinics designed to relieve hospital overcrowding and address escalating health issues at the grassroots level.
He also encouraged residents needing medical assistance to take advantage of medical assistance programs available at Malasakit Centers, specifically highlighting the center at Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital (ASMGH) in the town.
Principally authored and sponsored by Go, Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, aims to provide disadvantaged Filipino patients convenient access to medical assistance programs. According to the DOH, the 163 Malasakit Centers nationwide have benefitted more than ten million Filipinos.
“Tandaan ninyo, minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano mang kabutihan ang pwede natin gawin sa kapwa tao natin ay gawin na natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito. Patuloy kami na magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil para sa amin, ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” said Go, who is knowns as Mr. Malasakit for his compassion for the poor.
“Bisyo na po natin ang magserbisyo, at sa ating walang tigil na pagseserbisyo ay patuloy tayong maghahanap ng paraan na tumulong sa abot ng ating makakaya sa mga kababayan nating nangangailangan lalo na pagdating sa kalusugan. Tandaan natin na ang kalusugan ay katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he asserted.
