Senator Christopher “Bong” Go welcomed the Senate’s approval on third and final reading of Senate Bill No. 155, a measure that seeks to simplify documentary requirements for Filipinos applying for government financial assistance.

The proposed measure aims to standardize and streamline requirements across government agencies to reduce bureaucratic hurdles that often delay the release of aid to poor and vulnerable individuals, particularly during medical emergencies, disasters and other crises.

Under the current system, applicants for financial or medical assistance are often required to submit multiple documents depending on the agency involved, including identification cards, medical certificates, billing statements and barangay certifications. These requirements may vary across offices, sometimes resulting in repeated submissions and prolonged processing time.

As co-author of the bill, Go stressed that government support should be accessible when it is most needed and not delayed by excessive paperwork.

“It is very important that we bring government services closer to the people, especially to our fellow Filipinos who have very little in life. We should remove unnecessary and overly long processes that only delay the delivery of quality service,” Go said in Filipino.

He added that many Filipinos seeking financial assistance are already burdened by illness or hardship and should not be subjected to lengthy procedures to prove their eligibility.

“If we truly want to address the problem, our response must be matched by a faster process. Government assistance should not become an additional burden to our fellow citizens,” he said.

Go underscored that streamlining requirements would allow government agencies to respond more swiftly to urgent needs while maintaining accountability and safeguards.

The senator also cited Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which he principally authored and sponsored. The law institutionalized one-stop shops for government medical assistance in public hospitals to facilitate faster and more efficient aid processing.

At present, 167 Malasakit Centers operate nationwide and have assisted more than 17 million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health.

Supporters of the measure say simplifying documentary requirements may also reduce the need for applicants to seek help from political offices or intermediaries to expedite their requests by making the process more uniform and transparent across agencies.

The approval of Senate Bill No. 155 on third reading marks another legislative step aimed at simplifying bureaucratic procedures and improving access to government services.

“I will continue to support initiatives that speed up services for our fellow Filipinos,” Go said.