Photo credit: Bong Go

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go is not holding back when it comes to the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) controversial move to temporarily suspend the issuance of guarantee letters (GLs) for medical assistance. With the suspension set to begin on December 13, Go is raising the alarm, worried about what this decision means for indigent Filipinos in desperate need of help.

“Eh papaano na lang po ‘yung mga magkakasakit? May deadline ba ‘yun?” Go exclaimed during a recent Senate hearing, pointing out the absurdity of halting assistance for something as critical as medical needs.

The DSWD explained that the suspension is part of their annual liquidation process—a bureaucratic step to settle their financial accounts. But Go wasn’t buying it. For him, no financial protocol should get in the way of helping Filipinos in crisis. “Bakit hindi kayo gumawa ng sistema na tuluy-tuloy po ang serbisyo ng gobyerno? Paano na ang mga nagkakasakit na umaasa sa tulong ng gobyerno?” he added, clearly frustrated.

Who Gets Hurt?

The Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, under which these guarantee letters fall, is a lifeline for many impoverished Filipinos. Cutting off this aid, even temporarily, could leave countless families scrambling to cover medical bills during the holiday season. Go emphasized that illnesses don’t follow deadlines or bureaucratic schedules.

Where's the DSWD?

What irked Go even more was the absence of key DSWD officials at the Senate hearing. Instead, the agency sent representatives who couldn’t provide concrete answers, leaving Go to issue a show-cause order to explain the no-show.

A Call for Solutions

Rather than stop services, Go urged the DSWD to think outside the box. He suggested setting aside funds in advance to ensure continuity even during financial audits. “Wala po silang matatakbuhan,” he said, reminding everyone that government services must always be ready to support the most vulnerable.

Go also pressed for transparency, saying that while financial protocols are necessary, they shouldn’t come at the expense of people’s lives. “Pwede niyo pong gawan ng paraan ‘yan,” he said, stressing that helping people, especially during the holidays, should always come first.

A Holiday Plea

Go’s message was clear: “Mas kailangan po ng kababayan natin ang tulong ngayong Disyembre.” He called on the DSWD to rethink the suspension and find ways to ensure aid reaches those who need it most. After all, as Go passionately stated, “Kung ano pong tulong ang pwede nating ibigay sa ating kapwa, gawin na natin ngayon.”

With the holidays fast approaching, Go’s plea resonates with every Filipino who believes that compassion and malasakit (care) should never take a backseat to red tape.