Senator Bong Go urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to continue extending and expanding its assistance programs, including health-related and transportation assistance for indigents in Malasakit Centers in accordance with existing policies.
“Malaking tulong po ito aside from medical assistance na idadagdag ninyo mula sa inyong office, iyong pamasahe po baka puwede ninyong tingnan nang mabuti. Hirap po (ang mga pasyente) sa pamasahe,” Go said during the Senate plenary deliberations on DSWD’s proposed 2026 budget.
“Iyung pamasahe po baka puwede ninyong tingnan nang mabuti.”
The veteran legislator added that giving transportation assistance will further ease the burden of indigents.
“Malaking bagay po iyun na matulungan sila mismo doon sa mga Malasakit Centers na hindi na nila kailangang pumunta sa inyong mga regional offices or provincial offices. Baka pwedeng mabigay na ‘yung pamasahe,” the seasoned lawmaker said, underscoring that Malasakit Centers Law mandates these centers as one stop shops for medical-related assistance from various government programs.
“Malaking bagay po iyon na matulungan sila mismo doon sa mga Malasakit Centers na hindi na nila kailangang pumunta sa inyong mga regional offices or provincial offices.”
The senator likewise took the opportunity to commend the DSWD for ensuring they have representatives in the Malasakit Centers as mandated by the law.
To recall, Go, the current Vice Chair of the Senate Health Committee and Senate Finance Committee, reminded the DSWD to properly implement the Malasakit Centers Law by ensuring that its respective medical assistance programs are made accessible in each center with corresponding personnel who can guide patients in availing help.
He is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.
The Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), the DSWD, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) have dedicated programs made available in Malasakit Centers that act as one-stop shops for medical assistance in accordance with the Malasakit Centers Law.
These partner agencies are housed within Malasakit Centers in key public hospitals to provide a streamlined process for indigent patients seeking aid for hospital bills, medicines, and other medical expenses.
“Huwag na nating pahirapan ang ating mga kababayan. Unang-una, pera naman po ng taumbayan iyan dapat po’y ibalik sa kanila ng mabilis na paraan,” Go concluded.
