SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go visited Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, on Wednesday, December 20, to personally inspect and join the inauguration of several key projects, highlighting his commitment to the region’s progress and community well-being.
The day’s events commenced with Go proceeding to the sites of the Solar Lights Project along Duwalan-Marbel Road and Kidapawan-Allah Junction. As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go played an instrumental role in supporting this initiative.
The installation of solar lights in these areas is recognized as a substantial move towards eco-friendly solutions, aimed at promoting energy efficiency and reducing electricity costs in the region.
He then attended the inauguration of a new Dialysis Center, a project spearheaded by Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito and located at the City Health Compound in Barangay Poblacion. The center is undergoing further expansion.
Go’s visit aimed to showcase the locally funded Dialysis Center and assess how to aid in sustaining the facility. Demonstrating his support for the initiative, Go participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking a significant step in the community’s efforts of enhancing healthcare services in the area.
Addressing the crowd, Go expressed, “Isang malaking karangalan po para sa akin na maging bahagi ng pagbubukas ng Dialysis Center na ito. Malaking tulong po ito para sa ating mga kababayan na nangangailangan ng madalas na dialysis treatment.”
“Sa pamamagitan nito, mas mapadadali at magiging abot-kaya ang kanilang paggamot,” he added.
The Dialysis Center is expected to greatly benefit the local community, offering much-needed healthcare services, especially for patients with kidney ailments who previously had to travel long distances for treatment.
Previously, Go filed Senate Bill No. 190 also known as the “Free Dialysis Act of 2022.” If approved, the bill will require the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), in consultation with the Health Technology Assessment Council, to develop a comprehensive dialysis benefit package that shall fully cover all costs of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis treatments, sessions, and procedures done in PhilHealth-accredited health facilities.
Go also principally sponsored and is one of the authors of Republic Act No. 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which was signed into law by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., on August 24.
The law mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing Department of Health (DOH) regional hospitals. It stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to uplift the nation’s health infrastructure.
Concluding his visit, Go visited the Tacurong TATAP Center, an initiative started by the local government unit. This facility, echoing the concept of the Malasakit Centers, serves as a one-stop shop for basic services, offering medical assistance, burial assistance, and maintenance medicines specifically for the residents of Tacurong.
Malasakit Centers, a program spearheaded by Go, bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, DOH, PhilHealth, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount.
In Sultan Kudarat, a Malasakit Center is located at the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital in Isulan.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. As of now, 159 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The DOH reported that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to around ten million Filipinos.
“Sa mga pasyente, lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center dahil para ‘to sa inyo. Kung may hospital bill kayo, nandiyan ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong para mabayaran ito,” said Go.
Just like the Malasakit Center, the TATAP Center is expected to significantly ease the burden on local residents, providing a one-stop shop for various medical and financial assistance programs.
In his closing message to the people of Tacurong, Go reaffirmed his dedication to serving the community,
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa inyong walang sawang suporta.”
“Patuloy akong magsisilbi sa abot ng aking makakaya at mag-aalay ng aking oras at kakayahan para sa ikauunlad ng Tacurong at ng buong Pilipinas,” concluded Go.
Aside from these projects, Go also supported the concreting of roads in Esperanza, Bagumbayan, Isulan, Lambayong, Lebak, Lutayan, and Tacurong City. Additionally, he supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Columbio and Isulan, as well as the procurement of ambulance units for other towns.
On the same day, he also attended the inauguration of a Super Health Center in Tacurong City.
