Press Release - Bong Go's Malasakit Team joins outreach to aid indigents in Quezon City

The Malasakit Team of Senator Christopher "Bong" Go coordinated with Councilor Mikey Belmonte and provided assistance to indigents in Quezon City on January 13 and 14, as part of the latter's initiative to give back on his birthday.

In his message, Go highlighted the significance of collaborative work in these initiatives to help uplift the lives of the poor.

"Palagi po tayong magdasal at magtiwala po sa gobyerno. Palagi po tayong magtulungan at magmalasakit sa kapwa at sama-sama rin nating malalagpasan ang kahit na anumang hamon," said Go.

Held at Saint Andre Covered Court, Talanay Covered Court, and Taniman Covered Court, Councilor Belmonte provided grocery packs to 1,850 residents, while there were also select recipients of shirts and balls for basketball and volleyball from Senator Go.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography stated that the city hosts 11 Malasakit Centers, which offer medical assistance programs to aid in covering healthcare costs of those in need.

These centers serve as a one-stop shop, combining medical assistance programs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Their aim is to assist those in need by covering their hospital bills and lowering out of pocket expense to the lowest amount possible.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. To date, 159 operational centers have helped more or less ten million Filipinos nationwide, according to the DOH.

Malasakit Centers in Quezon City are located at the Lung Center of the Philippines, Novaliches District Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children's Medical Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, East Avenue Medical Center, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Philippine Orthopedic Center, National Children's Hospital, Philippine National Police General Hospital, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center.

Meanwhile, Go also supported the establishment of Super Health Centers nationwide. These health facilities offer a