The Malasakit Center in Maguindanao is the second such facility in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. #MalasakitCenter #MaguindanaoMalasakitCenter

Sen. Go and other local government officials unveil the Malasakit Center marker at the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital. (SBG)

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go graced the opening of the country’s 53rd Malasakit Center at the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital (MPH) in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, on Friday, 6 December 6.

The center’s launching came three days after President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11463, also known as the Malasakit Center Act of 2019 sponsored by Go in the Senate.

Initiated by the President and Go when the latter was still the Special Assistant to the President, the Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop for medical financial assistances from various government agencies and offices.

“Nandidiyan na po ang apat na ahensiya ng gobyerno,” Go said in his speech at the MPH, referring to the Department of Health (DoH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

“Noon kailangan pa ninyong magsangla ng kalabaw para may pambayad sa ospital. Ngayon dahil may Malasakit Center na tayo, magtutulungan (ang mga ahensiya ng gobyerno) para sa inyo,” Go also said.

“Zero balance po ang target ng Malasakit Center,” he added.

The Senator also said that senior citizens and persons with disabilities will be prioritized through an express lane.

The Malasakit Center in Maguindanao is the second such facility in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. The first in the region was opened at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center in Cotabato City on 19 November 2018.

Go also shared that more Malasakit Centers will be opened soon as part of the implementation of RA 11463.

“Tuloy-tuloy po ito sa lahat ng mga DoH-run hospitals. Ayon po sa batas, 73 na DoH-run hospitals ay lalagyan ng Malasakit Center,” he said in an interview after the event.

He added that the law allows local government units (LGU) to establish Malasakit Centers provided that they meet the standards and criteria to ensure sustainability and consistency in the services provided by the centers.

“We have set criteria para sundin nila para hindi po bungi-bungi ang mga Malasakit Center.”

RA 11463 mandates the DoH, DSWD, PCSO and PhilHealth to issue the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) within 90 days after the President’s approval.