In his first-ever privilege speech after becoming a lawmaker, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go defended his brainchild Malasakit Centers and reaped manifestations of support from his colleagues in the Senate.

Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, Go said the Malasakit Center initiative is a continuing program of the Duterte administration which aims to provide all Filipinos quick access to quality government healthcare, regardless of age, sex, ethnic background, religion and political affiliation.

The senator’s speech came amid criticisms by a congressman last week that the Malasakit Centers concept being championed by Go is “a partisan tool rather than a medical outlet.”

Senators who manifested their support include Sherwin Gatchalian, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Francis Tolentino, Manny Pacquiao and Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Go said that when he was still the Special Assistant to the President, he presented the idea of establishing Malasakit Centers to President Rodrigo Duterte but has never used them for his personal interests.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop for government medical and financial assistance. Currently, 41 Malasakit Centers have been established in different parts of the country that provides convenient access to quality healthcare for every Filipino.

Gatchalian said that the center in Valenzuela City, where he resides, has provided benefits to the city and even to the surrounding areas. Pimentel commended the Malasakit Center for being a good concept.

Zubiri and Pacquiao, on the other hand, aired similar sentiments even as the Majority Floor Leader also requested for a Malasakit Center to be put up in his home province, Bukidnon.

Dela Rosa, who hails from Davao like Go, expressed his support in a short message. “I would like to express my ‘malasakit’ to my ‘kababayan’ and support the substance of his privilege speech,” he said.

Go, however, admitted that while the Malasakit Centers are still a work in progress, many people have already benefited from the program.