Bong Go opens Malasakit Center in Caloocan

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go led the launching of the country’s 90th Malasakit Center at Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium in Caloocan City on Friday as he vowed continued support for medical frontliners.

It is the 17th Malasakit Center in Metro Manila and 46th in Luzon.

“This center is open to all Filipinos, especially the poor. Walang pinipili ito, walang pulitika. The center is ready to provide their medical and financial needs,” Go, who chairs the Senate committee on health and demography, said.

He provided cash assistance to 44 COVID-19 patients confined in the hospital.

Go also gave bicycles to selected hospital employees as public transportation remains limited.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop that hosts government agencies providing financial and medical assistance to indigent patients.

These are the Departments of Health and Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Under Republic Act 11463, government-run hospitals are mandated to establish their own Malasakit Centers.

Hospitals operated by local government units and other medical facilities may also put up Malasakit Centers provided that they meet the standards set by law.