54th Malasakit Center opens in Binangonan

MANILA, Philippines — A week after his Malasakit Center bill was signed into law, Sen. Christopher Go yesterday joined the launch of the 54th Malasakit Center in the country at the Margarito Duavit Memorial Hospital in Binangonan, Rizal.

Initiated by Go to aid Filipinos in need of swift government medical services, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that streamlines the provision of medical and financial assistance from concerned government agencies and offices.

“There are four government agencies that are ready to assist you,” Go said in his speech. The senator was referring to the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

“Unlike before that you have to go into these offices, spend precious time and money, now you can avail of these services under the Malasakit Centers,” Go said.

He added senior citizens and persons with disabilities will be prioritized at the centers through an express lane.

The Malasakit Center in Binangonan is the 25th to open in Luzon. The facility covers patient services and expenses such as laboratories, medicines, surgeries or operations, with the exception of professional fees and private room accommodation.

The process of seeking assistance has also been simplified through the Malasakit unified form, which means there is only one form to fill up for Filipinos requesting assistance.

During the visit, Go also shared that all DOH-run hospitals will now get their own Malasakit Centers with the enactment of Republic Act (RA) 11463 by President Duterte last week.

“Under the law, there will be a total of 73 DOH-run hospitals that will have Malasakit Centers,” he said.

Go added the law allows local government units (LGUs) to establish Malasakit Centers provided they meet the standards and criteria to ensure sustainability and consistency in the services provided by the centers.