GenSan Malasakit Center to open in December

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Locals here and in neighboring areas will soon get access to affordable and quality medical care through the national government’s Malasakit Center program.

Former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said Thursday preparations are underway for the opening of a Malasakit Center here next month.

Go said the facility will mainly assist indigent residents in getting proper medical care through the convergence of various government agencies.

The Malasakit Center, a “personal advocacy” of Go, is a “one-stop-shop” where indigent patients can seek financial assistance from various government agencies.

These comprise the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Philippine Health Insurance Corp., and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“They (government agencies) will all contribute and process the release of the assistance in just one day,” he said in a public forum dubbed, “The Platform”, hosted by the provincial government of Sarangani.

The forum, held at the provincial gymnasium in Alabel town, was among the highlights of the ongoing 2018 MunaTo Festival and 26th foundation anniversary celebration of Sarangani.

Go said the Malasakit Center will have priority lanes for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
“Walang laing requirement, basta Pilipino, qualified po (There’s no other requirement other than being a Filipino),” he said.

Go did not specify the location of the upcoming Malasakit Center but sources said it will be established at the city government-run Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital compound.

The government opened earlier this month the country’s 16th and 17th Malasakit Centers at the Cotabato Regional Medical Hospital in Cotabato City and the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital in Isulan town, respectively.

Go, a candidate for senator in the 2019 elections, headed the project when he was still working as Special Assistant to President Rodrigo Duterte.

If elected to the Senate, Go said he will continue with his advocacy to improve the quality of public health services in the country.

“There are many hospitals in the country that lack basic equipment like hospital beds. We’ve seen patients staying in overcrowded rooms and even in hallways. We really need to improve that,” he added. (PNA)

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