ON Monday, September 23, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go’s Malasakit Team provided aid to struggling residents of Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. In his message, Go, who is an adopted son of the province and is also known as Mr. Malasakit, reiterated his commitment to helping the needy, helpless, and hopeless Filipinos as part of his consistent compassionate brand of public service.
“Kahit saang sulok kayo ng Pilipinas, tutulong ako sa abot ng aking makakaya. Iyan po ang aking ipinangako sa Pilipino. Hindi ko po matiis na nakaupo lang po sa opisina habang yung mga kababayan natin dito ay nangangailangan po ng tulong,” Go said.
As the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go also offered assistance to those who may need hospital care. He encouraged them to visit the Malasakit Centers at Eduardo L. Joson Memorial Hospital and Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center (PJGMRMC), both in Cabanatuan City and Talavera General Hospital in Talavera, where they may conveniently avail of medical assistance from the government.
Institutionalized in 2019 under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored, the Malasakit Center serves as a one-stop shop aimed at helping impoverished patients minimize their medical expenses to the lowest amount possible by streamlining access to various agencies offering medical assistance programs.
Currently, 166 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The Department of Health reports that the Malasakit Centers program has already provided aid to around 12 million Filipinos.
Go’s Malasakit Team provided snacks, vitamins, masks, shirts, basketballs, and volleyballs to 987 beneficiaries gathered at the Bongabon town plaza. Shoes for men and women and a mobile phone were also given to select beneficiaries.
Meanwhile through Go’s collaboration with the GP Partylist, the beneficiaries also received financial aid from the national government.
“Huwag po kayong magpasalamat sa akin. Ako po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyong lahat sa pagkakataong ibinigay ninyo sa akin upang makapagserbisyo. Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit na ang tanging bisyo ay magserbisyo, patuloy kong gagampanan ang aking tungkulin sa abot ng aking makakaya. Naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” Go concluded.
