Bong Go vows continuous oversight on Malasakit Centers Law
Sen. Bong Go
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Christopher “Bong” Go reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to strengthening the Malasakit Centers program as part of his oversight functions in ensuring proper implementation of the law being the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health.
Responding to a media interview about the program’s success, especially in far-flung areas, Go emphasized that the Malasakit Centers are meant to simplify access to medical assistance from government agencies like the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and PhilHealth.
“I just want to share how the Malasakit Center started… Back in 2018, I wasn’t a senator yet—this was still just a concept. Instead of making patients go through the exhausting process of running from one office to another, we brought together in a single room within select public hospitals the agencies that offer medical assistance programs, so that help could be given more quickly,” he recalled.
READ: Bong Go lauds DOH’s commitment to implement Malasakit Centers Act
According to Go, even before the measure was institutionalized through Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 which he principally authored and sponsored in his first months as a senator, he had already supported the establishment of 51 Malasakit Centers nationwide during the Duterte administration.
There are currently 167 Malasakit Centers in the Philippines – 93 in Luzon, 30 in the Visayas, and 44 in Mindanao. More than 17 million Filipinos have been assisted by the program, according to the latest report from the Department of Health.
“As of now, there are already 167. It’s in the law, so that number can still increase,” he said, assuring the public that he will continue to monitor the implementation of the law in his second term.
`Malasakit is for the people’
“The Malasakit Center is for the Filipino people. It is your right. Just go to the Malasakit Center. It is yours.”
Go, the principal author and sponsor of the law, also pointed out the need for better utilization of PhilHealth’s funds to further support patients’ needs. “PhilHealth is not a business. It is insurance for patients so they have something to rely on when they get sick. It should be used for the benefit of the Filipino people.”
In a previous statement, Go also urged health facilities to ensure continuous and compassionate care for all Filipinos, regardless of their background or financial status.
“No one should be turned away from hospitals. Let’s not make it harder for patients who are already suffering. Let’s show compassion for the sick.” Go said, referencing a DOH Memorandum No. 2023-0235 that orders the continued implementation of the Malasakit Program and Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients (MAIP) Program.
The memorandum instructs all concerned DOH hospitals to ensure uninterrupted operations of Malasakit Centers and to provide all available services to patients in need.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and a long-time advocate of accessible healthcare, Go reiterated that he will continue to push for improvements in the Malasakit Centers Program, ensuring it remains a reliable lifeline for the poor and indigent Filipinos.
“That’s the people’s money — it should be returned to them quickly. That is truly for the Filipino people,” he concluded.
