Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go clarified certain issues about donations to the frontliners in the battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
In a statement, Go said Malasakit Centers are simply intended as one-stop shops for poor and indigent patients where relevant government agencies with medical and financial assistance programs are gathered under one roof.
“Wala pong PPEs (personal protective equipment) o medical equipment na dinadala o pinapamigay sa Malasakit Centers. Wala rin po ditong pondo. Isa lang po itong referral center sa loob ng ospital kung saan nandoon ang PhilHealth, DOH, DSWD at PCSO na handang tumulong para mabayaran ang hospital bills ng mga pasyenteng walang pambayad. Nananahimik po ang Malasakit Center at patuloy na tumutulong sa nangangailangan,” he said.
BRIDGE
Senator Go also said that his office “continues to fulfill its duty when it comes to representation and constituency services.”
“We act as a bridge to connect the private sector to the right agencies to address their concerns and, at the same time, we also help those asking for assistance by connecting them to the appropriate public or private entities that can respond to their needs.”
Because of the COVID-19 crisis, Go said many donors from the private sector approached his office to offer help such as food packs, PPEs, medical equipment, and other donations for frontliners, hospitals, and communities in need.
He also received messages from frontliners, hospitals, and communities asking for his help.
“Ito ang rason kung bakit pumapagitna kami sa mga humihingi ng tulong at sa mga nais tumulong. We help private donors who approach us in finding the right beneficiaries and vice versa. Kung baga, dagdag na tulong po ito mula sa mga “Good Samaritans” natin sa pribadong sektor para sa mga kababayan natin na nangangailangan pa ng tulong bukod sa naibibigay ng gobyerno sa kanila.”
OCD CONSOLIDATES DONATIONS
Go also cite that President Rodrigo Duterte has instructed the Office of Civil Defense, under the Department of National Defense, to take charge in consolidating donations of medical supplies and equipment intended for the national government and the Department of Health so that these can be efficiently distributed to government health facilities.
“Based on my understanding of the Administrative Order released by the Office of the President, this does not prevent others from donating to any institution directly if they wish to do so. It also states that the OCD simply consolidates all efforts of both government and the private sector to instill order and accountability in handling and distributing donations,” he added.
The neophyte senator said his office does not interfere in the operations and mandate of OCD nor does his office dictate how government resources are distributed.
“Senador na ako – at limang taon pa akong magsisilbing senador. Wala akong ambisyong tumakbo kaya huwag nyo na akong isali pa sa usaping politika sa 2022 dahil hindi ako interesado. Pakiusap ko lang, huwag na pong haluan ng pulitika ang pagtulong. At huwag po magkalat ng fake news. Hindi po iyan nakakatulong sa sitwasyon natin ngayon.”
Go advised his critics to help in these times of crisis as aiding those in need must be done anytime and without color.
“Let me state this in very clear and unmistakable language: claims circulating that I am involved in handling donations intended for the government are utterly false, deliberate disinformation, and black propaganda. Hindi ko maisip-isip na sa kabila ng kinakaharap natin ngayon, napag-isipan pa ng ilang mga tao na magpakalat ng mga malisyosong kasinungalingan.”
Instead of spreading lies, Go said his critics should just spend their time in helping the needy or maybe quarantine their mouths.
“Sa kasinungalingang kinakalat ninyo, hindi naman po gobyerno ang sinisira ninyo kundi ang kapwa ninyong Pilipino at ang sarili ninyong bayan. In this time of crisis, if you cannot help, just quarantine your mouth! Huwag na natin sana pairalin ang politika at siraan sa panahon ngayon. Lahat tayo naghihirap at lahat naman tayo gustong malampasan ang krisis na ito. Unahin nalang sana natin na pagserbisyohan ang kapwa nating Pilipino.”
