Aside from joining the Dinagyang Festival celebrations and in his continued effort to ensure accessible healthcare for Filipinos, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go personally visited the Malasakit Center at Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) in Iloilo City on Sunday, January 26.
The visit underscores his commitment to providing indigent patients with streamlined access to medical assistance programs through the Malasakit Center initiative.
Malasakit Centers serve as one-stop shops that integrate assistance from various government agencies, such as the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). The first Malasakit Center was established in Cebu City in 2018, and since then, 166 centers have been institutionalized nationwide under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored. The Malasakit Center in WVMC is the third to be established nationwide.
Joining the senator during his visit were key hospital officials who expressed their appreciation for Senator Go’s unwavering support to the healthcare sector.
“Gusto ko pong pasalamatan ang ating mga frontliners. Sa panahon ng pandemya, hindi po natin mararating ito kung hindi po sa sakripisyo ng ating mga frontliners, doctors, nurses, at sa lahat po ng empleyado ng ospital na ito,” Senator Go remarked as he provided various forms of support such as foodpacks, shirts, and balls to health workers and hospital staff present.
He went on to highlight specific legislative achievements aimed at supporting healthcare workers.
“Recognizing your sacrifices, I have pushed for measures aimed at supporting healthcare professionals. Among these is Republic Act No. 11712, which mandates the provision of Health Emergency Allowance to healthcare workers who served during the pandemic. We continue to push for the release of the budget to pay the Health Emergency Allowance. Rest assured, I will continue to fight for your rights and well-being,” Go said.
He also noted the salary upgrade for entry-level nurses. “Last Congress, we also ensured the implementation of the Supreme Court decision which upgraded the salary grade of the entry-level position of nurses to salary grade 15,” he explained.
Discussing his legislative priorities, Go said, “I also filed Senate Bill No. 191 or the Advanced Nursing Education Bill to establish a foundational nursing education program that will give nursing students the skills they need to practice safe, high-quality nursing at the entry-level if enacted into law.”
The senator also assured WVMC personnel of his continued support, particularly in improving hospital facilities and services. He principally sponsored the increase in the Western Visayas Medical Center’s capacity from 425 to 700 beds through Republic Act No. 11496.
“Asahan n’yo po na tutulong po ako bilang Committee Chair on Health sa Senado kung ano pong makakatulong sa inyong hospital. Kung ano pong makakapag-improve pa sa inyong ospital. Nandirito po ako para tumulong,” Go emphasized.
Aside from his hospital visit, Go spearheaded a feeding program for patients, watchers, and frontliners to promote nutrition and protect their well-being.
“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo, at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon,” concluded Senator Go.
