122nd Malasakit Center opens in Masbate

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go attended the launch of the 122nd Malasakit Center at the Masbate Provincial Hospital in Masbate City on Monday.

It is the first Malasakit Center in the province and fourth in Bicol aside from those at the Dr. Fernando B. Duran Sr. Memorial Hospital in Sorsogon City, Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Legazpi and Bicol Medical Center in Naga.

In his remarks, Go reiterated his commitment to help indigent patients, which started when he was working under President Duterte when he was still mayor of Davao City.

“Nakita ko yung hirap na pinagdadaanan ng mga pasyente para lang humingi ng tulong mula sa city hall at mga ahensya ng gobyerno. Ubos na pera at panahon nila sa kakapila, mangungutang pa sila para sa balanseng naiwan,” Go said.

The senator initiated the first Malasakit Center in Cebu City in 2018 with Presidential Assistant to the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino.

Go is the principal author of Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act, which was signed in December 2019.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where poor and indigent patients may avail themselves of the assistance offered by various government agencies.

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