MANILA, Philippines — As part of his advocacy to advance health care in the country, senatorial aspirant and former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said he would push for the salary increase of nurses and additional benefits for barangay health workers.
“They deserve to be properly compensated because they are essential in the delivery of crucial medical services to the grassroots in keeping our citizens healthy,” Go said.
Go said he leaves it to the government to determine the appropriate increase in the salary of nurses.
According to Go, increasing the salary of nurses would entice them to work in the country instead of going abroad.
Go issued the statement after his visit to the pediatrics department of Navotas Hospital where nurses raised concern over their present pay and inquired about the possibility of increasing their salary.
He stressed that improving the delivery of health care services especially to poor Filipinos is his priority agenda.
“Improve the health services throughout the country. Alam niyo, sa kakaikot ko, marami pong mga hospital diyan na kulang ang mga hospital beds po. Nakahilera sa labas ng ward po ‘yung mga pasyente; minsan, sa 1 kama, 2 or 3 pasyente po dito (ang nakahiga),” Go narrated, indicating the need for the government to provide more beds to public hospitals.
Go said the Malasakit Center program will play a crucial role in improving the delivery of healthcare services throughout the country.
“Nasa isang bubong na po ang mga ahensiya na magmamalasakit sa may sakit. Nandiyan po mga representatives ng PhilHealth, PCSO, DOH, at DSWD; magtutulungan po sila (para gawing mas mababa pa ang mga bill ninyo sa ospital),” Go explained.
The Malasakit Center, a program started by former SAP Go and being implemented by the Duterte administration, aids indigent patients in acquiring quick medical and financial help from government departments such as PhilHealth, PCSO, DOH, DSWD, and other relevant agencies.
Go is pushing for a law to be enacted to allow the establishment of more Malasakit Centers in other parts of the Philippines to provide assistance to patients, particularly the poor and disadvantaged.
Through such a law, Go said the Malasakit Center program would be able to be continued beyond President Duterte’s term of office.
To date, there are already 26 Malasakit Centers across the country.
In addition to improved delivery of health services for Filipinos, Go’s legislative priorities include programs for agriculture, anti-illegal drugs and criminality, education, housing, long-term sports development, anti-corruption, fire protection and prevention, localized peace talks, barangay welfare, creation of a Department of OFW, and improved benefits for senior citizens. /ee
