Former SAP Bong Go addressing members of PDP-Laban Pangasinan chapter during their meeting. He was in Pangasinan on Thursday as he received the resolution from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan certifying him as adopted son of Pangasinan. (Photo courtesy of Provincial Government of Pangasinan)
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- Pangasinenses in need of financial medical assistance will soon have a one-stop-shop as a ‘Malasakit Center’ will be launched in the province by March 2019.
“Noon sa isang lingo, nauubos panahon n’yo sa paghingi ng tulong sa iba’t ibang ahensya gaya ng Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). Sa Malasakit Center, andoon na sa iisang room lahat ng representative ng mga ahensya (Before, you have to spend a week in order to ask for help from different agencies such as PCSO, PAGCOR, DOH, DPWH and PhilHealth. But with the Malasakit Center, representatives of these agencies are already in one room),” former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said during his visit to the province on Thursday.
Go further explained that through the Malasakit Center, the agencies will each give their share to the hospital bill of the patient while the remaining amount will be shouldered by the center to ensure that there will be zero balance on the hospital bill.
“Nananawagan tayo na tulungan ang mga pasyente at huwag silang pahirapan (We are calling on those concerned to help the patients and not burden them),” he said.
Go further said that every Filipino is qualified to avail of the services of the Malasakit Center.
“Basta Pilipino ka pasado ka, wala ng ibang kailangan (If you are a Filipino, then you are qualified. There are no other requirements),” he said.
Go said the center is a “continuing program” of President Rodrigo Duterte for the Filipinos.
There are now 18 Malasakit Centers all over the country since it was launched this year. (PNA)
