Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go witnessed Thursday the turnover of PHP50 million from the Office of the President to the Malasakit Center inside the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center (DOPMC) here.

In an interview, Go said the funding would help ease the financial burden of indigent patients in the area.

“You don’t need to go to various agencies to ask for help. Our target in the Malasakit Center is zero balance, prioritizing the indigent and poor,” Go said.

Governor Nelson Dayanghirang said the Malasakit Center has helped the provincial government in addressing the medical needs of their constituents.

“Through the leadership of President Duterte, we have this program. We will not fear even if a new administration takes over because it is already a law,” Dayanghirang said.

Dayanghirang also thanked the national government for the various improvements of DOPMC as well as the donated equipment.

The Malasakit Center in DOPMC was established in October 2020 and for two years, the clients grew in number, serving more than 7,000 patients in 2021.

It is a one-stop shop that brings together the various agencies that offer medical assistance — Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Go authored the bill that became Republic Act 11463, otherwise known as the Malasakit Centers Act in December 2019, upon becoming a senator the following year.

The law mandates all DOH-run hospitals to open their own Malasakit Center. Other public hospitals, including those run by local government units, may also establish their center provided they meet a standard set of criteria. (PNA)