92nd Malasakit Center opened in Benguet

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go attended the virtual launch of the country’s 92nd Malasakit Center in La Trinidad, Benguet on Friday.

The Malasakit Center at the Benguet General Hospital is the third in the Cordilleras and second in the province.

The second center is located at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center in Baguio City.

In his speech, Go reaffirmed the commitment of the Duterte administration to advance the right of every Filipino to quality health services through universal health coverage.

He reiterated the administration’s fight against corruption and the need to cleanse the ranks of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. in order to improve its services.

To improve the access to quality and affordable healthcare, Go authored and sponsored the passage of a bill that eventually became Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

The measure, signed by Duterte on Dec. 3, brings under one roof all government agencies – Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, PhilHealth and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office - from which Filipinos can seek medical assistance.

The one-stop shop aims to reduce to the lowest amount possible the balance of the hospital bills of the poor.

It covers patient services and expenses such as laboratory examinations, medicine and surgery.

The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 mandates all government-run hospitals including the Philippine General Hospital to establish their own Malasakit Centers.

All hospitals managed by local government units and other public hospitals may also establish their own Malasakit Centers, provided they meet the criteria set to ensure the center’s operations.

“I am appealing to Dr. Meliarazon Dulay and to the hospital staff to prioritize the poor,” Go said, referring to the head of the Benguet General Hospital and its management.

Go also recognized government officials and national agencies that continue serving their constituents amid the pandemic.