Senator Christopher “Bong” Go underscored the importance of accessible health and emergency support for families affected by disasters as he dispatched his Malasakit Team on Tuesday, August 11, to assist families affected by a fire in Barangay Muelle Loney, Iloilo City.
As Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go emphasized that disaster response must go beyond immediate relief and ensure that affected families can access medical assistance, essential health services, and other forms of support as they recover.
“Kapag may sunog o anumang sakuna, hindi lamang po tirahan at pagkain ang kailangang tugunan. Kailangan din nating siguraduhin na may access ang ating mga kababayan sa serbisyong pangkalusugan, lalo na kung may nasaktan o nagkasakit,” Go said in a video message.
Go highlighted the role of Malasakit Centers in making healthcare assistance more accessible to disaster-affected families, particularly those who may struggle to shoulder medical expenses following a fire or other emergency.
He is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized Malasakit Centers nationwide. These centers serve as one-stop shops that help indigent patients access medical and financial assistance and reduce their hospital expenses to the lowest possible amount.
Currently, 167 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, according to the Department of Health (DOH), including those at Western Visayas Medical Center and West Visayas State University Medical Center in Iloilo City; West Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital in Santa Barbara; and Don Jose Monfort Medical Center in Barotac Nuevo.
Go stressed that accessible healthcare must be complemented by stronger preparedness measures to protect communities before, during, and after disasters.
He emphasized the importance of RA 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which he principally authored and co-sponsored. The law mandates the establishment of permanent, disaster-resilient evacuation centers in every city and municipality.
He also principally authored and co-sponsored RA 11589, or the Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Act of 2021, which provides for a ten-year modernization program for the Bureau of Fire Protection, including enhanced training, improved equipment, additional firefighters, and nationwide fire prevention campaigns in coordination with local government units.
Held at the Barangay Muelle Loney Gym, the outreach provided the 27 affected families with financial assistance, grocery packs, water gallons, snacks, vitamins, shirts, and basketballs and volleyballs.
Go likewise recognized the ongoing efforts of concerned national government agencies conducting assessments and coordinating assistance to ensure that affected families continue receiving the support they need as they recover.
“Patuloy po akong magseserbisyo para sa inyo dahil naniniwala ako na ang kahandaan at malasakit ay susi sa pagliligtas ng buhay at sa mas mabilis na pagbangon ng bawat komunidad,” he concluded.
