Former Special Assistant to the President and 2019 senatorial aspirant Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Saturday pressed for improved government support for the country’ senior citizens, particularly in terms of health care.

“Tulad ni Tatay Digong, priority measure ko ang kalusugan, lalong lalo na ang kalusugan ng ating mga senior citizens,” Go said at the “Labs Kita, Lolo at Lola,” a gathering of senior citizens at St. Mary’s College of Meycauayan organized by the city government.

Related to that, Go said he will work for the enactment of a law establishing Malasakit Centers in more provinces and key urban centers of the country.

A program of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, a Malasakit Center brings together in one room all concerned government agencies such as the DoH, DSWD, PCSO and Philhealth to make it easier and faster for indigent patients to avail of medical and financial assistance from the government.

“May express lane po ang Malasakit Center para sa mga disabled at senior citizens, para hindi na kayo mahirapang pumila,” Go pointed out.

“Yan ang gusto kong isabatas pagdating ng panahon (para) kahit hindi na Pangulo si Pangulong Duterte tuloy-tuloy po iyan. Mahirap pong magkasakit, sa totoo lang,” he added.

The idea of Malasakit Center stemmed from Go’s experiences in attending to the needs of people who sought the help of then Davao Mayor Duterte. Currently, there are 24 Malasakit Centers operating all over the country.

Go earlier noted that the recently-signed Universal Health Care Law and the Malasakit Center would complement each other and improve access of Filipinos to quality health services from the government.

Likewise, Go proposed the creation of a National Citizens Commission tasked to ensure proper implementation of laws and programs for senior citizens, as well as to protect and promote the welfare of the country’s elderly.

Go said he would also look into the possibility of providing free medicines to all senior citizens instead of the current 20 percent discount they enjoy. He is also proposing a hike in the amount of pension for senior citizens.

“Hindi po ako nangangako sa inyo. Antayin nyo na lang po ang resulta ng serbisyong tatak Duterte. Sa abot po ng aming makakaya, gagawin namin,” Go said.

As part of his vision to improve the delivery of health services, Go is seeking additional funding for public hospitals to increase their bed capacity. He noted that many government health facilities are swamped with patients forcing them to share a bed or stay in the corridors.

Go said the senior citizens, who are susceptible to health problems, would be among the principal beneficiaries of any improvement in the delivery of health services.

Aside from his advocacies for health and improved benefits for senior citizens, Go’s legislative priorities include programs on agriculture, anti-illegal drugs and criminality, education, housing, anti-corruption, long-term sports development, localized peace talks, fire protection and prevention, barangay welfare and the creation of a Department of OFW.