Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go today fulfilled his promise to establish a Malasakit Center to give Kapampangans easier access to financial assistance, in line with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s commitment to provide quality health services to all Filipinos.
Together with the officials from the different government agencies and the local government officials of Pampanga, Go led the formal opening of the Malasakit Center at the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital (JBLMRH) in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
Following the program, Go proceeded to the Emergency Ward of JBLMRH where he visited some patients and extended assistance to them.
The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop program of President Duterte to hasten the delivery of medical services and give poor patients access to free medicine. A fast lane prioritizing the senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) will also be available.
Under the program, patients are assisted in availing themselves of the services and financial assistance provided by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the Philippine Amusement and Games Corporation (PAGCOR), Department of Health (DoH), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Pooled together, the assistance can push the patient’s medical bill, including medicines, to the lowest possible amount.
Go has been instrumental in putting up Malasakit Centers throughout the country. Currently, there are also Malasakit Centers in the cities of Cebu, Tacloban, Iloilo, Bacolod, Puerto Princesa, Maasin, Dumaguete, Davao, and in Manila (Philippine General Hospital).
By the end of the month, the government eyes to put up at least five more Malasakit Centers in various cities like Tagbilaran, Zamboanga, Cagayan De Oro, Legazpi, and Butuan, to name a few, according to Go.
In his visit to Pampanga, Go said the Duterte administration will also provide more projects to further develop and address problems in Central Luzon.
“Maraming proyekto ang nakalaan para sa Pampanga. Tomorrow po may ground breaking ceremony para sa Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Measures ang DPWH sa Minalin, Pampanga,” Go said in an ambush interview.
(There are numerous projects for Pampanga. A ground breaking ceremony for the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Measures in Minalin will be held tomorrow through the efforts of DPWH.)
During an earlier visit of Go in Pampanga last August 28, he promised that he will talk to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to address the problem of flooding in the area.
The PhP6.15-B project is a flood-control facility of DPWH that targets to reduce the damage brought by perennial flooding in southern Pampanga. It is expected to finish in March 2022.
Go enumerated several other infrastructure projects that are lined up for the Kapampangans under the Duterte administration.
“Ang new Clark International Airport ay matatapos sa 2020. Ongoing po ito para dumami pa ang kapasidad para sa airport na ito (para maka-accommodate) ng additional 8 million na passengers. Naumpisahan na rin itong New Clark City Food Processing Terminal and International Food Market natin. At next ‘yung Subic-Clark railway, under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program,” he added.
(The ongoing expansion of the Clark International Airport will be finished by 2020. This aims to accommodate the additional eight million passengers. We have already started the New Clark City Food Processing Terminal and International Food Market. And next is the Subic-Clark Railway, under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program.)
Meanwhile, when asked about the upcoming 2019 senatorial elections, Go said he is still not considering the possibility of running.
“Unang-una kailangan ko pa mag-dasal. Pangalawa, syempre ang desisyon po ng ating Pangulo. Papalapit ng papalapit ang araw na iyan kailangan ko ng mag-desisyon,” Go said.
(First, I have to pray. Second, we have to wait for the decision of the president. The day [filing of candidacy] is fast approaching, I have to decide.)