100th Malasakit Center launched at RITM

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go led the launch of the 100th Malasakit Center at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa City on Tuesday, the 20th Malasakit Center in Metro Manila and 54th in Luzon.

In his speech, Go recounted the hardships many Filipinos face to receive basic health care services. “The President said to me, ‘Bong, do something because no matter where they are from, they are Filipinos. If we can’t help them, let’s not report here.’ His heart really bleeds,” Go continued.

Go oversaw the establishment of the pilot Malasakit Center at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City in 2018. Later, as senator, he authored measures to help Filipinos get better access to medical assistance.

President Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 that establishes a Malasakit Center at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and every DOH-run hospital nationwide.

“I am very happy to share that more than 1.8 million patients have been served at Malasakit Centers nationwide,” Go said.

After the event, Go distributed aid to 224 flood victims in Barangay Tunasan.

His team also gave meals, food packs, vitamins, masks and face shields to around 200 RITM patients and 1,400 frontliners, as well as financial assistance to beneficiaries from DSWD.

Select RITM staff members also received new shoes, bicycles to help with their daily commute and tablets for children studying at home under blended learning.

“Don’t thank President  Duterte or me. We are the ones thankful that you gave us the chance to serve. Frontliners are the ones deserving of praise, for their tireless efforts for our country,” Go said.