Press Release - Bong Go helps struggling households in Pulupandan, Negros Occidental

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go provided assistance to indigents in Pulupandan, Negros Occidental as part of his efforts to ensure that marginalized sectors get the support they need amid various crises facing the country.

Go's outreach team conducted the relief operation at the municipal auditorium on Thursday, October 19, where they handed out snacks to 333 indigents. They also gave away shirts, balls for basketball and volleyball, shoes, and mobile phones to select recipients.

Apart from the assistance provided by the senator in coordination with the local government led by Mayor Miguel Antonio Peña, the qualified beneficiaries likewise received financial assistance from the government through the initiative of the Malasakit@Bayanihan Partylist.

In a video message, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, reminded the beneficiaries to look after their health and encouraged them to avail of the services of the Malasakit Center located at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in Bacolod City if they need assistance with their hospital expenses.

Go initiated the Malasakit Centers program in 2018 after personally witnessing how indigent Filipinos across the country are having a hard time getting the medical attention they need mostly due to the expensive hospital services.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that brings together government agencies that offer medical assistance programs, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

"Hanapin niyo lang po ang Malasakit Center diyan po sa inyong lugar. Para po 'yan sa mga poor and indigent patients, para po 'yan sa mga Pilipino, lapitan niyo lang po ang Malasakit Center," said Go, who principally authored and sponsored the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

Moreover, Go said that DOH has identified areas for the establishment of Super Health Centers nationwide. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers and local government units (LGUs), sufficient funds have been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022