Duterte signs Bong Go’s pet bill into law

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte signed Sen. Bong Go’s priority bill into law on Tuesday night.

Duterte signed Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Center Act of 2019 during a ceremony at Malacañang,.

“Nagpapasalamat ako at naging batas na ito,” Go said yesterday in an interview with Erwin Tulfo on Radio Pilipinas. “Para po ito sa mga tao, gaya ng pinangako ko noon.”

The law provides that Malasakit centers be established in every government hospital.

A Malasakit center is a one-stop shop where poor patients can seek financial assistance for their medical needs from four government agencies: the Department of Health, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and the social welfare department.

“Now that it has been enacted into law, quality healthcare is within reach for the Filipinos,” Go said.