Sen. Bong Go listens to the needs and concerns of residents during a recent provincial trip.

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go witnessed the launch of a Malasakit Center at Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center in Pagadian City on Friday, ensuring easier access to better healthcare services.

It is the 42nd in the country, eleventh in Mindanao and the fourth Malasakit Center in the Zamboanga Peninsula where similar centers are also located in the cities of Zamboanga, Dapitan and Dipolog.

The launch was led by Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, a partner of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President when Go was still with the executive branch.

Go said the Duterte administration hopes to launch more Malasakit Centers nationwide in the coming months.

“Sa mga darating na buwan, umaasa po tayo na makapaglunsad pa ng karagdagang Malasakit Centers sa buong bansa. Sa inyong suporta, naniniwala po akong hindi malabo na makamit natin ang layuning ito,” Go said.

Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where representatives of different government agencies, such as the Department of Health, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, PhilHealth and Department of Social Welfare and Development are gathered under one roof.

Applicants seeking financial assistance for medical concerns need to fill out one form only, doing away with long lines in different government offices. The centers also have special express lanes for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

The Malasakit Center initiative is just one of the ways the government gives back to taxpayers, Go said.

“Pera po ninyo ito ibinabalik lang sa inyo sa pamamagitan ng mabilis, maayos at maaasahang serbisyong may malasakit para sa bawat Pilipino,” Go said.

Go has filed Malasakit Center Act of 2019 (Senate Bill No. 199) to institutionalize these centers in the country’s healthcare system. This will also pave the way for the establishment of Malasakit Centers in all DOH-run hospitals.

“Yes, I have filed a bill na i-institutionalize na ang Malasakit Center na ang layunin ay makatulong sa tao. Sa Malasakit Center, isang kwarto na lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno, sama-sama ang DOH, DSWD, Philhealth, PCSO,” Go said.