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‘Malasakit Center’ opens in Ilocos Norte

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Unveiling of the Malasakit Center

By Leilanie G. Adriano (Staff Reporter)

LAOAG CITY—A one-stop shop “Malasakit Center” for patients in need of medical and financial assistance is now open at the Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital, or more popularly known as the provincial hospital, to ensure that government health services should be accessible for all Filipinos.

With an initial fund of PHP5 million, with the check personally turned over to Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc by Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong" Go and his party who arrived in the city for the launching of the country’s 101st “Malasakit Center”.

“Ang requirement lang po dito sa ‘Malasakit Center’ ay basta Pilipino ka. Walang pinipili ang center na ito,” Go remarked.

“Kami po ay nandito upang makapagbigay ng kaunting tulong sa mga pasiente. At kung may pasiente kayo na hindi kayang operahan sa inyong hospital, willing kaming tumulong sa Maynila pati pamasahe ay sasagutin namin,” he added.

The “Malasakit Center Act of 2019” [RA No. 11463] was signed into law by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on December 2, 2019. It aims to bring down to the lowest amount possible, if not zero-balance, the hospital bill, including out-of-pocket expenditures, of particularly poor and indigent Filipinos.

On top of the PHP5 million initial fund and a regular monthly replenishment of PHP5 million from the national government, Go said he is also giving a one-time PHP10 million from his office budget.

Since it is now signed into law, Go assured the center will be sustained even in the coming years subject to government’s existing laws, rules and regulations to provide such assistance.

Following the unveiling ceremony, Dr. Rogelio Balbag, executive officer of the Ilocos Norte Hospital Management Council expressed hopes that all government hospitals in the province will soon have their own “Malasakit Centers”.

For the convenience of the public, the center will house representatives from the government line agencies such as Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Department of Health, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development to assess the patients in need of help. Once qualified, the processing of papers seeking for assistance can be done in a day.

Jojo Pangilinan, head of the PhilHealth in the province said two of his staff will be deployed at the “Malasakit Center” to assist clients.

“We are grateful, especially to Senator Bong Go, for helping us realize the project. We look forward to more partnerships in the future,” said Manotoc in his short speech.

While in Laoag City, Go also met with 490 tricycle drivers and calesa owners in the city where he distributed grocery packs, vitamins, face masks and face shields including 15 units of bicycles and some computer tablets for selected students enrolled in distance learning.

Four lucky trike drivers who wore slippers were also given brand new shoes by the senator. (With a report from PGIN-CMO)

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