MANILA – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said on Tuesday that opening more Malasakit Centers across the nation makes financial and medical help more accessible and easy for Filipinos.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go graced the ceremony in the past week as two more Malasakit Centers were officially launched in Caraga.
“With the successful launching of the 131st and 132nd Malasakit Centers at the Democrito O. Plaza Memorial Hospital and Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center, the people of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur respectively, now have efficient and convenient access to different medical assistance programs provided by government agencies that were once elusive, especially to our indigent patients,” Andanar said.
The Malasakit Center Act of 2019 calls for the creation of a one-stop-shop where indigent patients and their families can get financial and medical help from government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
On February 12, 2018, the first Malasakit Center opened at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.
There are currently 133 Malasakit Centers, the recent of which launched on Monday at the Eastern Bicol Medical Center in Virac, Catanduanes.
“The establishment and the rise in the number of Malasakit Centers nationwide reflect the Tapang at Malasakit campaign and the people-centered service and commitment of Senator Bong Go and the whole Duterte administration to the Filipinos,” Andanar said.
“In our last year in office, we in the Duterte administration will continue to open more Malasakit Centers that will cater to everyone’s medical needs and ensure everyone’s right to healthcare with dignity, respect, and compassion,” he added.
