Senator Christopher "Bong" Go emphasized his dedication to enhancing the country's healthcare system during a monitoring visit to the Malasakit Center at the Sorsogon Provincial Hospital in Sorsogon City, Sorsogon on Friday, 24 November.

"Huwag po kayong magpasalamat sa amin. Sa totoo lang po, ako po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil ako po'y probinsyano lamang na binigyan nyo po ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo po sa inyo," Go said as he reiterated his gratitude for being given the opportunity to serve the people.

He pledged to tirelessly work for the Filipino people, underscoring his experience and commitment to uplifting the lives of the poor, "Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino. Iyan po ang pwede kong ialay sa inyo, ang aking kasipagan."

Go then highlighted the importance of Malasakit Centers, an initiative he championed as the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

Through Go's continuing advocacy of helping the poor avail of needed medical assistance, a total of 159 Malasakit centers nationwide serve as one-stop shops combining programs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to aid impoverished patients.

DOH reported that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than ten million Filipinos so far.

During his visit, Go also addressed the healthcare workers and frontliners, thanking them for their sacrifices, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He stressed the importance of the Malasakit program and urged the staff to prioritize helping the needy.

"Ang dapat nating pasalamatan sa totoo lang po ang ating mga frontliners. Hindi po natin mararating yung kampanya laban sa Covid kung hindi po sa sakripisyo ng mga frontliners. Palakpakan po natin ang lahat ng ating frontliners," said Go.

Go also underscored his role in the passage of RA 11959, known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act which he principal sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate. This legislation, signed into law by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. on August 24, mandates the creation of specialized centers within current DOH regional hospitals. The aim of this Act is to decentralize specialized medical services, making them more accessible to people across the regions and reducing the necessity for travel to Manila for such services.