Sen. Christopher Bong Go’s Malasakit Team provided assistance to senior citizens in Barangay Silangan, San Mateo, Rizal, on 20 December, describing the activity as an early Christmas gift for elderly residents in the community.

During the activity, held at the Silangan Covered Court, the Malasakit Team distributed grocery packs and cash assistance to 50 underprivileged senior citizens.

In his message, Go stressed the importance of caring for the elderly as a core Filipino value.

“Tayong mga Pilipino ay kilala bilang family-oriented. Hindi natin pinababayaan ang matatanda. Tandaan natin wala tayo sa mundong ito kung hindi sa ating mga lolo at lola. Nasa kultura na natin na alagaan ang mga nakakatanda,” Go said.

Go also highlighted the growing need for specialized healthcare services for senior citizens.

“This growing population of senior citizens underscores the need for a dedicated, specialized healthcare service that is appropriate for the urgent and specialized needs of aging individuals,” he said.

The senator reiterated the government’s commitment to recognizing the contributions of senior citizens to society, citing measures he has supported in Congress.

Go is a co-author of Republic Act No. 11916, which increased the social pension of indigent senior citizens and amended Republic Act No. 7432, the original Senior Citizens Act.

Last month, he also co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 1302, or the proposed Philippine Geriatrics Center Act, which seeks to establish a dedicated tertiary specialty hospital for older persons under the supervision of the Department of Health (DOH).

Related to this, Go underscored the need to fully implement Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which mandates the establishment of Malasakit Centers in all DOH-run hospitals, including geriatric facilities. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the law.

Malasakit Centers serve as one-stop shops for medical assistance programs. As of latest data, 167 Malasakit Centers are operating nationwide, benefiting more than 20 million Filipinos.

Go concluded by calling for faster and more accessible healthcare services for elderly patients.

“Huwag pong pahirapan ang mga pasyente, lalong lalo na mga senior citizen natin. Bigyan natin sila ng mas mabilis na paraan para hindi sila mahirapan pa,” he said.