I am very thankful that the program has become a law.

Proud moment President Rodrigo Duterte signs Republic Act 11463 which seeks to establish Malasakit Centers in all public hospitals to the delight of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, author and sponsor of the law.

The continuity of programs to efficiently deliver government services has been assured with President Rodrigo Duterte’s signing of Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Center Act, top officials said yesterday.

Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go expressed his gratitude during a radio interview yesterday for the approval of the measure, which was based on his initiative to create one-stop shops for government services.

Malasakit Centers specifically provide speedy assistance in government hospitals for indigent citizens who often seek financial aid.

“I am very thankful that the program has become a law,” Go said during his interview. “This is for the sake of poor Filipinos similar to what I have promised.”

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar also welcomed the signing of the law as he acknowledged Go’s authorship of the Senate bill, which demonstrates his longtime advocacy and efforts in its promotion.

“We are with Senator Go in seeing the expansion and the importance of such initiative to the general public’s interests,” Andanar said.

“We see this law as a progress in our provision of health services, one that complements and promotes our existing laws that give medical assistance to Filipinos, particularly the Universal Health Care Program,” he added.

Andanar said the signing of the law shows the administration’s dedication to provide efficient health and social services that will provide convenience to those who are in need of financial medical assistance from different government agencies, such as the Departments of Health (DoH) and Social Welfare and Development and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, through Malasakit Centers in all public hospitals.

“It is a clear evidence of the administration’s commitment to do more in providing accessible assistance and quality health care to all Filipinos in need,” he said.

During a ceremony held at Rizal Hall in Malacañang, President Duterte signed Republic Act 11463 or an act Establishing Malasakit Centers in front of government officials and other guests.

The senator said his advocacy for swift government service was the result of the complaints of confusion among many poor Filipinos when they avail of government services.

Go said several local government units (LGU) have expressed their interest to put up such centers, thus the need for criteria that are provided under the law.

“Now, there are several institutions which are seeking to put up a Malasakit Center. Making it into a law subjects the setting up of such centers with certain criteria,” Go said.

He said he will start with the 73 DoH-run hospitals that is required by law.

“Local government units who wanted to set up such centers will have to follow a list of criteria, which are that of personnel for each of the four government offices, a small office with a table and a computer should be provided,” he said.

The senator, who is also the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, said the program targets free hospital bills for patients to complement the Universal Health Care Law. He added that all Filipino citizens are qualified to seek assistance from the centers.

“The target is zero balance. If you are a Filipino, you’re automatically qualified. There would be express lanes for senior citizens and people with disabilities,” Go said.

“The concept here is that those in need do not need to go to different offices to receive assistance,” he added.

The Chief Executive also signed into law Republic Act 11462 or the measure postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, which were originally scheduled on 11 May 2020, during the same event.

Andanar expects the government to save some P5.77 billion from election-related expenses, which can be appropriated toward relevant projects that provide better services and create better lives for Filipinos.

Andanar said the PCOO sees this undertaking or cancellation of the elections as a necessity, the fact being that project implementations take time to yield their results.

“This is a way to materialize and put into effect the initiatives and projects being done by all barangay officials,” Andanar said in a statement.

“With this, not only will the officials at the grassroots level be able to measure the success of their projects, they can adjust and replicate them as needed for a more substantial period,” he added.

The postponement would effectively extend the terms of office of incumbent SK and barangay officials who assumed their posts after the May 2018 elections.

The President had asked both houses of Congress to postpone the SK and barangay elections last July.