Go, Belmonte lead Christmas gift-giving in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go’s Malasakit team and Quezon City District 2 Councilor Mikey Belmonte provided assistance to indigent residents from Dec. 6 to 9 as part of Christmas gift-giving program.

In a video message, Go commended Belmonte for his Pamaskong Handog initiative.

Belmonte gave grocery packs to 2,800 residents. Some received shirts and balls for basketball and volleyball from Go.

Go, who chairs the Senate committee on health and demography, reiterated the importance of prioritizing one’s health, especially during the Christmas season.

“Let us focus on keeping every one healthy. I would like to reiterate that the best gift we can give ourselves and our fellow Filipinos is still the gift of good health,” he said.

Go encouraged the public, particularly those with comorbidities, to still wear face masks even though it is not mandatory.

There are 11 Malasakit Centers in Quezon City where medical assistance programs are available to help cover residents’ medical expenses.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that brings together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to assist indigent patients in reducing their hospital expenses to the lowest possible amount.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Center Act of 2019. To date, 159 operational centers have helped more than 10 million Filipinos nationwide, according to DOH.