130th Malasakit Center opens in Batac

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go has committed to improve affordability and accessibility to quality healthcare in the country during the launch of the 130th Malasakit Center at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Batac, Ilocos Norte on Friday.

It is the second Malasakit Center in the province and fifth in the region after the Governor Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital in Laoag; Gabriela Silang General Hospital in Vigan, Ilocos Sur; Region I Medical Center in Dagupan, Pangasinan, and Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in San Fernando, La Union.

In his virtual remarks, Go, chairman of the Senate committee on health, noted that many Filipinos living in poor or remote communities are unable to get medical care, adversely affecting their productivity and quality of life. He said this has been more evident as the country continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Hindi pumipili ang Malasakit Center. Basta Pilipino ka, qualified ka. Wala nang dahilan para hindi kayo matulungan, lalung-lalo na kung poor o indigent patient ka. Pakiusap sa hospital staff, huwag niyong pababayaan ang mga mahihirap nating kababayan, yung helpless, hopeless at walang matakbuhan sa panahong ito,” he said.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where patients can conveniently apply for medical assistance from relevant government agencies, specifically the Departments of Health and Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of the measure that became Republic Act 11463, also known as the Malasakit Centers Act.