Press Release
September 27, 2020

84th Malasakit Center opens in Zambales; Bong Go tells honest government workers, citizens to help fight corruption

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Friday, September 25, attended the virtual launch of the 84th Malasakit Center at President Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital in Iba, Zambales. The hospital is also a COVID-19-designated hospital where confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases are currently confined.

The newly opened Malasakit Center in Zambales is the first in the province, ninth in Region 3 and the 44th in Luzon.

Expressing his concern for Filipinos who had to spend long hours in several queues just to seek government assistance, Go explained that the purpose of these one-stop shops is to ensure that Filipinos gain easier and more convenient access to medical and financial assistance from the government.

"Mahirap magkasakit, ito ang mga panahon na litong lito ang mga kababayan natin at hindi nila alam saan sila hihingi ng tulong," he added.

In Malasakit Centers, patients or their representatives will only need to fill up a unified form to request assistance, instead of having to visit government offices scattered in various locations. In addition, an express lane for persons with disability and senior citizens is also available.

Concerned agencies extending medical and financial assistance housed in these centers are the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

"84th na Malasakit Center na po itong sa inyo sa Zambales at tuloy-tuloy po ito dahil batas na po ito ngayon," Go said.

"Sa batas na ito, magkakaroon po ng Malasakit Centers sa lahat ng 73 DOH-run hospitals at 'yung mga local government hospitals na gustong magkaroon ng Malasakit Center, they have to follow a criteria na nakalaan sa batas katulad po ng inyo. Sumunod kayo sa criteria kaya meron na kayong Malasakit Center dyan sa Iba, Zambales," he added.

With the enactment of the Republic Act No. 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, all hospitals run by the DOH all over the country and in the Philippine General Hospital in Manila are now mandated to establish their own Malasakit Centers.

On the other hand, hospitals run by local government units and other public hospitals may also establish their own Malasakit Centers provided that they meet a standard set of criteria and guarantee the availability of funds for the operation of their centers, including its maintenance, personnel and staff training, among others.

Patients who would be admitted to LGU-run and other public hospitals but are eligible for medical and financial assistance could also seek assistance from the Malasakit Centers.

"Sa mga pasyente po sa Zambales, iparating nyo lang sa mga kapitbahay nyo na meron na kayong Malasakit Center. Para po ito sa mga poor and indigent patients. Wala pong pulitika dito, wala pong pinipili dito," Go reminded the residents.

Meanwhile, during his live video message, Go asked honest PhilHealth employees to continue working for the betterment of the country, help in the fight against corruption, and deliver the best service to citizens.

"Mga taga-PhilHealth, 'wag po kayo mawalan ng pag-asa. Alam ko pong mas marami pang matitinong empleyado ng PhilHealth na gustong maglingkod ng buong katapatan," he said.

"Tulungan lang po natin ang ating mga kababayan na maibalik po ang pera nila. Alam nyo, nakakalungkot po sa nakaraang linggo ay naging pulutan po ang PhilHealth sa mga pahayagan at sa mga news," he added.

He also expressed his commitment to unearthing the truth behind the corruption issues in the agency, saying that those involved must be held accountable.

"Ang atin naman dito ay malaman natin ang katotohanan, managot ang dapat managot, makasuhan, masuspinde, ma-dismiss at makulong, ma-audit at ma-lifestyle check ang mga may kagagawan nito. Ilan lang naman po yan," Go said.

"Ang di po katanggap-tanggap dito dahil pinagpawisan 'yan ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga OFWs na nagbibigay ng remittance nila para makapag enrol sa PhilHealth ay inaasahan nilang maibabalik sa kanila ang serbisyo at ang pisong ibinayad nila ay maibabalik sa kanila," he added.

Go, then, assured that he and President Rodrigo Duterte will do their best to stamp out corruption within the government. He stressed the need for cooperation from the citizens to help in the campaign to cleanse government and provide the best service to the people.

"Sana po walang masayang na pera at kami po ni Pangulong Duterte ay patuloy naming gagawin ang lahat para malinis po itong PhilHealth... Tulungan nyo lang po kami. Magtulungan po tayo dahil di po namin kayang gawin 'yan kung kami lang po dito sa taas ang gagawa," he ended.

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