2 more Malasakit Centers launched

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go once again urged Filipinos in need of healthcare services to avail themselves of the government’s medical assistance programs following the launch of two new Malasakit Centers in Cagayan Valley.

To simplify the process of availing medical assistance in the region, the government recently launched the country’s 150th and 151st Malasakit Centers at the Batanes General Hospital in Basco and at the Quirino Provincial Medical Center in Cabarroguis, respectively.

Go said that access to quality healthcare services remains to be an important challenge, especially in rural areas where costs are often a constraint.

He welcomed the government’s continued efforts to provide a more streamlined way in requesting medical assistance, especially in remote areas.

Situated in the northernmost part of the country, Cagayan Valley is known for its mountainous terrain, and difficult weather, which hamper access to quality healthcare for residents in remote areas.

Health facilities are located in major cities, forcing many to travel long distances to obtain basic medical services.

The other Malasakit Centers in the region are located at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center in Tuguegarao; Region II Trauma and Medical Center in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya; Faustino N. Dy, Sr. Memorial Hospital in Ilagan City and Southern Isabela Medical Center in Santiago City, both in Isabela.

The Malasakit Center brings together government agencies that offer medical assistance under a standardized system. These agencies include the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corp, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The goal is to reduce costly hospital bills to the lowest amount possible by covering various patient services and expenses.

If available, centers may also facilitate access to similar programs provided by other agencies, local government units, non-governmental organizations and private institutions and individuals.

Since its introduction in 2018, the Malasakit Centers program has benefited over three million patients nationwide.

It was institutionalized under Republic Act 11463, also known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate.