Former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) and senatoriable Bong Go went to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) Malasakit Center and joined hospital employees, patients and watchers in welcoming the new year.
Go surprised patients and their companions, hospital staff members, Malasakit Center staff members and patients’ watchers, tricycle drivers, and balut vendors nearby at the Bahay Pahulayan of the SPMC in Davao City.
At the Bahay Pahulayan, the former top presidential aide gave away Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) movie passes, snacks, dinner, and food packs.
The former palace official also gave away gifts to birthday celebrators in the hospital and ate balut with watchers who were outside the Malasakit Center.
“Salubungin natin ang bagong taon ng magkakasama sa pagpapakita ng malasakit sa kapwa,” he said.
Go did not miss out on the chance to help those in need of assistance as well.
He coordinated patients with available Malasakit Center staff so that their medical and financial requirements could be handled immediately.
At the Malasakit Center – a brainchild of the former presidential assistant and President Rodrigo Duterte – the process of securing quick medical and financial assistance is made easier as it is a one-stop shop where the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Department of Health, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., and other satellite offices of particular government agencies are housed together in one location.
In previous interviews, Go said one of the reasons he is gunning for a Senate seat is to craft a law that would institutionalize the creation of Malasakit Centers in all provinces and urban centers in the Philippines.
“One of the reasons I am running for a seat in the Senate is to enact a law that would institutionalize the creation of Malasakit Centers in all provinces and urban centers in the Philippines.”
Currently, Davao City has a Malasakit Center at the SPMC, apart from 17 others in various provinces nationwide.
“Sa susunod na mga araw, plano ng gobyerno magtayo pa sa ibang lugar tulad ng Gen San (General Santos City), Surigao, Batangas, at dagdag pa sa Maynila. Kung maisabatas, layunin namin magtayo sa bawat probinsiya,” he added.
Aside from distributing food and gifts, Go also explained that President Rodrigo Duterte established the Bahay Pahulayan (watchers’ area) in the SPMC when the latter was still Davao City mayor.
“President Duterte established Bahay Pahulayan in SPMC when the latter was still mayor of Davao City so that the companions of patients would not have trouble taking care of loved ones who are confined in the hospital.”
Go said the President established the facility so that the companions of patients would not have trouble taking care of loved ones who are confined in the hospital.
“Isa po ito sa itinayo ni Mayor (Duterte) noon. Malapit ito sa puso namin at sana magkaroon ng ganito sa buong Pilipinas para hindi na nahihirapan ang ating mga kababayan pagdating sa mga pangangailangang medikal nila,” he said.
In the 2019, Go hopes that Filipinos everywhere will be blessed with good health, prosperity, and happiness.
“Balak kong iabot ang serbisyong Tatak Duterte sa mga Pilipino dahil ito ang nararapat para sa bansa,” he said.
“Manigong bagong taon po sa lahat ng Pilipino! Sana’y ngayong 2019 ay tuluy-tuloy lang ang ating suporta dahil wala akong ibang bisyo kundi magserbisyo,” Go added.
