Bringing services closer to communities, Bong Go visits Guiguinto, Bulacan to join inauguration of new Super Health Center and to aid vulnerable sectors

In line with his continuing efforts to bring services closer to communities, Go personally attended the inauguration of the Super Health Center in Guiguinto, Bulacan and assisted impoverished residents in the town on Wednesday, October 16, 

“Kanina po marami ang nagpapasalamat sa akin dahil natulungan sila ng ating mga isinulong na programa. Pero sa totoo lang po, huwag po kayong magpasalamat sa akin. Ako po ang dapat na magpasalamat sa inyo dahil sa pagkakataon na inyong ibinigay sa akin upang makapag serbisyo sa inyo,” Go said.

“Hinding hindi ko po sasayangin ang pagkakataon na binigay ninyo sa akin na makapag serbisyo sa inyo. Parati po kami bumibisita dito para magbigay ng tulong pag may mga sunog, baha, kasama ang Malasakit team ko. Huwag po kayong mag-alala dahil ang gamit nabibili yan, napapalitan yan… ngunit ang buhay ay hindi nabibili ng pera. A lost life is a lost life forever,” he added.

He emphasized the significance of building more Super Health Centers as part of his continued commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility especially at the community level. 

"Sa mga itinayo na Super Health Centers, nakita namin kung gaano kalaki ang naitutulong nito sa komunidad, lalo na sa rural areas. ‘Yun po ang layunin ng mga Super Health Centers, ang ilapit sa mamamayan ang serbisyong medikal ng gobyerno,” he said.

The Super Health Centers can significantly help reduce hospital occupancy rates while bringing primary medical services closer to the grassroots. This healthcare facility will offer primary care, medical consultation, and early disease detection, further strengthening the healthcare sector at the community-level.

Through the concerted efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, the Department of Health (DOH) led by Secretary Teodoro "Ted" Herbosa, and local government units, adequate funding was allocated for establishing more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide, including 18 in Bulacan.

Responding to the earnest pleas of health workers, Go mentioned that he has been urging the DOH and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to act swiftly on releasing the long-overdue Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) of qualified health workers.

Go also expressed gratitude to the local government for their diligent efforts in making the Super Health Center a reality. He specifically thanked Congressman Ambrosio ‘Boy’ Cruz Jr., Mayor Agatha Paula Cruz, Vice Mayor Banjo Estrella, local councilors, and barangay captains from 14 barangays in Guiguinto, among others. 

“Maraming salamat sa aking mga kaibigan, mga mababait at super supportive na mga local officials. Kasama niyo po ako sa pagseserbisyo para sa mga taga Guiguinto,” the Senator said.

Mayor Cruz then thanked and gave her deep gratitude to Go for his unwavering support to the municipality, particularly in health services and infrastructure projects saying, “Happy po tayo na sa araw po na ito na dinalaw tayo ng isang tao na marami pong naitulong sa atin through the Malasakit Center. Hindi niya po tayo nakakalimutan sa ano mang sakuna, bagyo, pagbaha, sunog, lagi po siyang naka agapay sa atin.”

“Lahat po ay kanyang inaasikaso para makatulong sa kanyang mga kababayan…Senator Bong Go!” she exclaimed.

Meanwhile, a total of 150 barangay health workers (BHWs) and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) received grocery packs, snacks, shirts, foldable fans, and basketballs and volleyballs from Senator Go. 

Furthermore, there were 1,000 indigent residents from various sectors gathered at the Guiguinto Athletic and Cultural Center who received additional support from Go, such as food packs, snacks, vitamins, masks, shirts, foldable fans, and basketballs and volleyballs. Some of them also received shoes, a mobile phone, bicycles, and a watch. 

In partnership with the local government of Guiguinto led by Mayor Cruz, they provided financial support to the identified indigent sectors present. 

Meanwhile, Go offered additional aid to individuals with medical needs and advised them to avail themselves of the assistance provided by nearby Malasakit Centers located at Joni Villanueva General Hospital in Bocaue, Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos City, Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria, and Ospital ng San Jose del Monte in Bulacan.

Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops for medical assistance programs aimed at helping impoverished patients reduce their hospital costs to the least possible amount. 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.

As of now, 166 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, poised to assist with patients' medical expenses. The DOH reports that the Malasakit Centers program has already provided aid to over 15 million Filipinos.

In his capacity as Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go supported other projects in Guiguinto, including the construction of a multi-purpose building; rehabilitation of waterways; as well as construction of river protection, flood control and slope protection structures.

“Sana po’y maalala ninyo…minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito, kung ano man ang kabutihan na puwede nating ibigay sa ating kapwa, gawin na natin ngayon dahil naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo din sa Diyos. Mag pasalamat po tayo sa Panginoon sa ibinigay niya sa atin na buhay. Mga taga Guiguinto, mga taga Bulacan, mahal na mahal ko kayong lahat," Go ended.

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