As part of his advocacy to advance health care in the country, senatorial aspirant and former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Bong Go said he would push for a pay increase for nurses and additional benefits for barangay health workers.
“They deserve to be properly compensated because they are essential in the delivery of crucial medical services to the grassroots in keeping our citizens healthy,” Go said.
The former presidential aide said he leaves it to government to determine the appropriate increases the salaries of nurses.
According to Go, increasing the salary of nurses would entice them to continue working in the country instead of seeking jobs abroad.
“Increasing the salary of nurses would entice them to work in the country instead of going abroad.”
Go issued the statement after his visit to the pediatrics department of the Navotas Hospital where the nurses he met raised concern over their present pay and inquired about the possibility of increasing their salaries.
Go stressed that improving the delivery of healthcare services especially to poor Filipinos is his priority agenda.
“Improve the health services throughout the country. Alam niyo, sa kakaikot ko, marami pong mga hospital diyan na kulang ang mga hospital beds po. Nakahilera sa labas ng ward po ‘yung mga pasyente; minsan, sa 1 kama, 2 or 3 pasyente po dito (ang nakahiga),” he narrated, indicating the need for the government to provide more beds to public hospitals.
Go said the Malasakit Center program will play a crucial role in improving the delivery of healthcare services throughout the country.
“Nasa isang bubong na po ang mga ahensiya na magmamalasakit sa may sakit. Nandiyan po mga representatives ng Philhealth, PCSO, DOH, at DSWD; magtutulungan po sila (para gawing mas mababa pa ang mga bill ninyo sa ospital),” he explained.
The Malasakit Center, a program started by Go and being implemented by the Duterte admistration, aids indigent patients in acquiring quick medical and financial help from government departments such as Philhealth, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and other relevant agencies.
He is pushing for a law to be enacted to allow the establishment of more Malasakit Centers in other parts of the Philippines to provide assistance to patients, particularly to the poor and the disadvantaged.
Such a law, Go said, will allow that the Malasakit Center program will be continued well beyond the term of office of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Through a law, the Malasakit Center program will continue beyond the President’s term of office.”
To date there are already 26 Malasakit Centers across the country, according to Go.
In addition to improved delivery of health services for Filipinos, Go’s legislative priorities include program for agriculture, anti-illegal drugs and criminality, education, housing, long-term sports development, anti-corruption, fire protection and prevention, localized peace talks, barangay welfare, creation of a Department for overseas Filipino workers and improved benefits for senior citizens.
