KEEP SERVING, GO URGES SOCIAL WORKERS

SEN. Bong Go urged social workers to continue serving the public as they play a role in his feeding program in public hospitals' Malasakit Centers.

The senator, in a statement on Sunday, lauded the social workers of Malasakit Centers "for their relentless dedication to patient care."

"Your efforts do not go unnoticed. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our fellow Filipinos," he said.

He said he would continue to push for more programs to support Filipinos in need, especially poor patients and health care workers.

The senator said his feeding program has provided "relief to patients and their families, many of whom face health challenges and struggle with basic needs like food."

He said patients must have meals as most of them in public hospitals "are disadvantaged and often only have enough for transportation."

Go said the "simple gesture of providing rice porridge to patients" is his way of showing compassion to those needing medical attention.

It also "caters to medical frontliners to alleviate their burden while fulfilling their duties in saving lives," the senator added.

"The gratitude and relief expressed by the patients and their families inspire me to persevere and expand this initiative," he said. "It's my way of ensuring that no Filipino has to endure hunger, especially during their time of need."

Go's feeding program has reached various hospitals in Metro Manila, including Dr. Jose Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan City, Novaliches District Hospital in Quezon City, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila City, and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City.

It has also extended to hospitals in the Visayas and Mindanao, including Northern Samar Provincial Hospital in Catarman, Northern Samar; Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur; and Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City.

Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops designed to simplify the process for indigent patients seeking financial assistance from various government agencies.

Go was the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.

There are 165 Malasakit Centers nationwide, which have helped about 10 million Filipinos nationwide, according to the Department of Health.

2024-06-23T16:16:49Z dg43tfdfdgfd