Senator Bong Go reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to strengthening the Malasakit Centers program as part of his oversight functions in ensuring proper implementation of the law being the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health.
Responding to a media interview about the program’s success, especially in far-flung areas, Go emphasized that the Malasakit Centers are meant to simplify access to medical assistance from government agencies like the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and PhilHealth.
“Gusto ko lang pong ikwento kung paano nag-umpisa ang Malasakit Center… Noong 2018, hindi pa ako senador noon, konsepto pa lang ito. Sa halip na pagod na paikot-ikot ang pasyente, pinagsama-sama natin sa iisang kwarto sa loob ng iilang pampublikong ospital ang mga ahensya na may mga programang pampagamot para mas mabilis ang tulong,” the legislator recalled.
According to the lawmaker, even before the measure was institutionalized through Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 which he principally authored and sponsored in his first months as a senator, he had already supported the establishment of 51 Malasakit Centers nationwide during the Duterte administration.
There are currently 167 Malasakit Centers in the Philippines – 93 in Luzon, 30 in the Visayas, and 44 in Mindanao. More than 17 million Filipinos have been assisted by the program, according to the latest report from the Department of Health.
“Nasa batas naman po, pwedeng madagdagan ‘yan.”
“Ngayon po, 167 na po. Nasa batas naman po, pwedeng madagdagan ‘yan,” the senator said, assuring the public that he will continue to monitor the implementation of the law in his second term.
“Ang Malasakit Center po ay para sa Pilipino po ‘yan. Karapatan nyo po ‘yan. Lapitan nyo lang po ang Malasakit Center. Inyo po ‘yan,” he stressed.
Go, the principal author and sponsor of the law, also pointed out the need for better utilization of PhilHealth’s funds to further support patients’ needs.
“Ang PhilHealth po ay hindi negosyo. Insurance po ‘yan para sa mga pasyente para may masandalan sila pag nagkasakit. Dapat ‘yan ay ginagamit para sa kapakanan ng Pilipino,” he said.
In a previous statement, Go also urged health facilities to ensure continuous and compassionate care for all Filipinos, regardless of their background or financial status.
“Huwag na pahirapan ang mga pasyenteng naghihirap na.”
“Wala dapat matanggihan sa mga ospital. Huwag na pahirapan ang mga pasyenteng naghihirap na. Magmalasakit tayo sa may sakit,” he pointed out, referencing a DOH Memorandum No. 2023-0235 that orders the continued implementation of the Malasakit Program and Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients (MAIP) Program.
The memorandum instructs all concerned DOH hospitals to ensure uninterrupted operations of Malasakit Centers and to provide all available services to patients in need.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and a long-time advocate of accessible healthcare, Go reiterated that he will continue to push for improvements in the Malasakit Centers Program, ensuring it remains a reliable lifeline for the poor and indigent Filipinos.
“Pera ng tao ‘yan, dapat ibalik sa tao sa mabilis na paraan. Para po ‘yan sa Pilipino talaga,” he concluded.
