DAVAO CITY – Former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) and aspiring senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go went to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) Malasakit Center and accompanied hospital employees, patients and watchers on New Year’s Eve.
The former presidential aide surprised patients and their companions, hospital staff members, Malasakit Center staff members and patients’ watchers, TODA members, and balut vendors nearby at the Bahay Pahulayan of SPMC in Davao City.
At Bahay Pahulayan, Go gave away Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) cinema passes, snacks, dinner, and food packs.
Go also gave away gifts to birthday celebrators in the hospital and ate balut with watchers who were on duty 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 because it is a one-stop shop where PCSO, DSWD, PhilHealth, DOH, PAGCOR, 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 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.m, apart from 17 others in various provinces nationwide.
“Sa susunod na mga araw, plano ng gobyerno magtayo pa sa ibang lugar tulad ng GenSan, Surigao, Batangas, at dagdag pa sa Maynila. Kung maisabatas, layunin namin magtayo sa bawat probinsiya,” he added.
Aside from distributing food and gifts, Go said President Duterte established Bahay Pahulayan in SPMC when the latter was still Mayor of Davao City.
Duterte 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 coming new year, 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,” Go 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,” he added. (PR)
