Senator Christopher "Bong" Go had been honored with the Gawad Pagkilala Award at the San Mateo Municipal Stadium in recognition of his contributions to the community.
"On this day, as we celebrate the 451st founding anniversary of San Mateo, Rizal, I am overjoyed to be a part of this historic occasion," he said on Thursday.
Go then emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation in the community's progress.
"Bayanihan is not just a simple word; we live it and it is what strengthens our community and inspires us all to face challenges together," he said.
Go also commended the local government led by Mayor Bartolome Rivera for their service to the community. He also extended support to residents who may need medical assistance from the government.
He told them that there are Malasakit Centers in the province that they can reach out to if they need support with their medical-related expenses.
"Patients, please approach the Malasakit Center because it is for you. If you have a hospital bill, government agencies are there to help pay for it," Go said.
The Malasakit Centers program, a brainchild of Go, is designed to help ensure that indigent patients have convenient access to the medical assistance programs offered by partner agencies.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
Currently, there are 159 operational centers that have assisted more than seven million Filipinos nationwide, according to the Department of Health.
In Rizal, the Malasakit Centers are located at Antipolo City Hospital System Annex IV, Casimiro A. Ynares Sr. Memorial Hospital in Rodriguez, Bagong Cainta Municipal Hospital, and Margarito A. Duavit Memorial Hospital in Binangonan.