Former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Bong Go vowed to push for the expansion of Malasakit Centers even with the expected passage of the Universal Health Care Act.
Go said his proposal to expand the Malasakit Centers will not clash with the Universal Health Care Act.
“I don’t think magkakaroon ng conflict (with the Universal Health Care Act). Ang akin naman is maisabatas, kahit hindi na po presidente si Pangulong Duterte ay tuloy-tuloy itong programang ito (I don’t think there would be any conflict with the Universal Health Care Act. I want the program to be institutionalized through legislation so that even if President Rodrigo Duterte is no longer in office, this program would continue),” the former palace official said.
The former presidential aide explained that Malasakit Centers aim to integrate government health transactions in one office, which will result in faster processing and convenience for patients.
Go, who is gunning for a Senate seat in the 2019 midterm polls, had observed that it usually takes five days to avail of government health aid as patients need to process documents from various government offices with distant locations.
He said that with the expansion of Malasakit Centers, it will only take a day for patients to process transactions.
“Let us help our patients. These are the times when they do not know where else to seek help. Let us not pass them around.”
“Tulungan po natin ang ating mga pasyente. Ito yung mga panahon na hindi nila alam kung saan sila hihingi ng tulong. Huwag na natin silang ipasa-pasa pa (Let us help our patients. These are the times when they do not know where else to seek help. Let us not pass them around),” Go said.
In his third State of the Nation Address, President Rodrigo Duterte said Go has been “instrumental” in putting up Malasakit Centers, and has been expanding the program nationwide.
“I would keep on helping the government establish more Malasakit Centers and will push for its institutionalization through law so that every province will have a center in their locality.”
Go earlier said he would keep on helping the government establish more Malasakit Centers and push for the program’s institutionalization through law so that every province will have a center in their respective localities.
Currently existing in 17 cities, a Malasakit Center is a one stop shop situated in a government hospital where patients can avail of financial assistance from the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philhealth and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
