131st MALASAKIT CENTER. Senator Christopher " Bong" Go (3rd from left) leads the opening of the 131st Malasakit Center at the D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital in Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on Saturday (July 31, 2021). Later, Go proceeded to the Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur to launch the 132nd branch of the one-stop establishment for indigents. (Photo courtesy of PIA-Agusan)
BUTUAN CITY – Two Malasakit Centers opened in the Caraga Region on Saturday, giving indigents more options to avail of free and convenient medical assistance.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, who crafted the Malasakit Centers Act, led the launch at the D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital in Patina-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, and at the Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur – the 131st and 132nd branches, respectively.
“This Malasakit Center targets to serve the most vulnerable sectors, the underprivileged, and ensure that they get the medical care they need at the most convenient way,” Go said in his speech, as he reminded the medical staff to accommodate everyone who will ask for help.
The senator also urged Agusan del Sur residents to get vaccinated amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019, particularly the Delta variant.
"Pakiusap po namin sa inyo, habang nandiyan po ang Delta variant, mas mag-ingat po tayo at kung maaari ay siguruhing napabakunahan po ang ating mga pamilya. Libre po ito kaya huwag po nating sayangin ang pagkakataong ito (We ask you, with the threat of the Delta variant, to take care and get vaccinated, including our families. The vaccination is free)," Go said.
Go’s team likewise distributed grocery packs, vitamin supplements, masks and face shields to the 126 patients admitted at D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital and to 300 front-liners from the different towns of Agusan del Sur.
Surigao del Sur Governor and First District Rep. Prospero Pichay led the officials who welcomed Go.
The senator also recognized the services of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police in helping end insurgency in the province.
After the formal opening of the Tandag center, he distributed food packs, surgical masks, face shields and vitamins to front-liners while 10 residents were selected to receive bicycles and 10 students got computer tablets.
“Malasakit Centers are always open to serve the people of Caraga Region,” Go said.
On July 3, the senator opened the 125th Malasakit Center in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte.
All Malasakit Centers have the offices of the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
The first Malasakit Center opened at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City on Feb. 12, 2018. (PNA)
