Malasakit Center

The Malasakit Center refers to a chain of one-stop-shop centers for medical and financial assistance provided by various agencies of the Philippine government.

Malasakit Center
FormationFebruary 2018 (2018-02)
FounderBong Go
Region served
Philippines
ServicesGovernment medical assistance subsidy processing
Director
Varies by branch

History

The Malasakit Center program was started by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President, led by Bong Go following a directive of President Rodrigo Duterte. The center is meant as a one-stop shop for government medical assistance for indigent Filipinos. The first Malasakit Center opened in February 2018.[1][2]

When Go was elected Senator in 2019, he continued to promote the Malasakit Center; authoring a bill in the Senate that would institutionalize the center.[3] President Duterte signed into law on December 3, 2019, the Malasakit Center Act, also known as Republic Act No. 11463 which was originally proposed from House Bill no. 5477 .[4] As per law, the government is obliged to establish Malasakit Centers in all hospitals under the Department of Health and the Philippine General Hospital. The legislation also authorizes the Philippine National Police to set up of such facilities.[3]

Services

Eligible indigent Filipinos can avail multiple subsidies from various government agencies in Malasakit Centers. Prior to the establishment of Malasakit Centers, indigents had to fill up multiple documents and go to separate government offices to lessen their medical expenses.[5]

The Malasakit Center processes the availing of subsidies from the following government agencies:[2]

Branches

As of March 4, 2022, there are 151 Malasakit Centers across the Philippines.[6]

References
  1. Revita, Juliet C. (September 24, 2018). "Malasakit Center launched in Davao City". Sunstar. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  2. "Bong Go reveals role in creating Malasakit Centers". Manila Bulletin (in English and Tagalog). January 25, 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  3. Toledo, Mike (November 17, 2020). "Makatao at may Malasakit". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  4. Esguerra, Darryl John (December 3, 2019). "Duterte OKs institutionalization of Malasakit Centers". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  5. "Bong Go wants to expand 'Malasakit Centers' to help ailing poor". BusinessMirror. September 2, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  6. Ismael, Javier Joe (March 4, 2022). "151st Malasakit Center inaugurated in Quirino". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on March 5, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
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