BOCAUE, Bulacan — Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography led the inauguration of the 161st Malasakit Center inside the Joni Villanueva General Hospital in Brgy. Igulot, here Monday morning (March 11).
In his speech, Go announced that the Malasakit Center in Bocaue is the 4th in the province of Bulacan, together with those at Bulacan Medical Center in the City of Malolos, Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Santa Maria and in the City of San Jose del Monte Hospital.
“Ang Malasakit Center po is a one-stop shop. Batas na po iyan na isinulong natin noong naging senador tayo. Para po iyan sa mga poor and indigent patients. Para po iyan sa Pilipino,” said Go.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
As the Father of Malasakit Center, his health advocacy remains one of his top priorities, highlighting that the Malasakit Centers program is an important aspect of public healthcare, providing convenient and efficient access to Filipinos who require medical assistance.
“Aside from Malasakit, kasama sa prayoridad ko ang pagpapatayo ng mga Super Health Centers at ang Regional Specialty Centers,” Sen. Go said.
On his part, Gov. Daniel Fernando thanked Senator Bong Go for the support given to the Province of Bulacan through the Malasakit Centers and Super Health Centers.
“Maraming salamat Sen. Go sa apat na Malasakit Center na itinayo mo sa aming lalawigan at itong aming lalawigan ang may pinakamarami dahil nangangahulugan ito na mas maraming Bulakenyo ang mabibigyan ng angkop na lunas sa kanilang karamdaman ng hindi po nangangamba sa kakulangan ng pambayad o pantustos dito,” Fernando added.
Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount.
Go also lauded the support of Senator Joel Villanueva, the DOH led by Secretary Ted Herbosa, Usec. Maria Rosario Clarissa Singh-Vergeire as well as Rep. Boy Cruz of 5th District and Vice Gov. Alex Castro.
The inauguration was also attended by other local officials led by Bocaue Mayor Jonjon Villanueva, Vice Mayor Sherwin Tugna, Dra. Corazon I. Flores, DOH Regional Director, Dra. Renely P. Tungol, officer in charge of Joni Villanueva General Hospital. (UnliNews Online)
