FORMER President now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday, May 3, gave her “special” endorsement to former Special Assistant to the President now Bong Go, who is seeking a seat in the Senate.
The endorsement came after the quick response and assistance given by Go to Kapampangan victims of recent earthquake during his and President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit a day after the incident at ground zero in Porac town.
Arroyo said Go also established the Malasakit Center to help indigent patients at the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital, said Arroyo.
The former president recalled the numerous individuals who sustained major injuries during the earthquake, including a 25-year-old saleswoman whose foot was amputated after being trapped in the collapsed Chuzon Supermarket.
“Siyempre kailangan doon maselan na gamot, maselan na gamit at maselan na operasyon. Tinanong ko agad ang doctor kung magkano ang gagastusin dahil hahanapin ni Governor Pineda ang pambayad. Sabi ni doktora huwag daw mag-alala dahil kung ano ang hindi sasagutin ng PhilHealth ay sasagutin ng Malasakit Center,” Arroyo said.
The Malasakit Center, initiated by Go under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, is one-stop shop established in public hospitals to hasten the delivery of free medical services, including financial assistance, to indigent patients.
The center is staffed by representatives from Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and other government agencies.
“Mahal ito ng Presidente Duterte at mahal din niya tayong mga Kapampangan kaya special ang endorsement ko sa kanya,” Arroyo said. The “special endorsement”, however, lacked the traditional raising of hands.
Go expressed his gratitude to Arroyo for recognizing his efforts to provide public service to Kapampangans, especially to the needy ones.
“Bilang trusted leader ng mga Kapampangan, si Governor Pineda at Speaker Arroyo, maraming salamat po. Malaking bagay po ang endorsement nila at asahan po nila na kami ni President Duterte ay patuloy na magseserbisyo sa mga Kapampangan,” he said.
Asked what specific projects he eyes for Pampanga if given a seat in the Senate, Go said he wants to further improve the delivery of medical services in the province and in the whole country as well.
“Nasabi nga po ni Speaker Arroyo iyong tulong na naibigay ng Malasakit Center at gusto maimprove pa ito dahil nandoon na po sa iisang kwarto ang kailangan ng pasyente at hindi na sila mahihirapan,” he said.