By Carby Rose Basina

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go spearheaded the launch of the 153rd Malasakit Center in the country on Thursday, Nov. 24, at the Overseas Filipino Workers Hospital and Diagnostic Center in San Fernando City, Pampanga.

The establishment is the third such facility to be built in the province, with the first two located at Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital, also in San Fernando City, and at Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center in Angeles City.

“Para po siya sa mga poor and indigent patients. At masaya po ako na dito po inilagay ang 153rd na Malasakit Center sa OFW Hospital na matagal na po nating pinangarap noon pa,” the lawmaker expressed.

(“This is for our indigent patients. And I'm happy that the 153rd Malasakit Center is located at the OFW Hospital, which we've been dreaming about for a long time,”)

“Ang pangarap natin magkaroon ng isang OFW hospital, naisakatuparan din. Hindi na po panaginip. Ngayon po, mayroon na rin po tayong Malasakit Center sa inyong OFW Hospital,” he added. 

(“Our dream of having an OFW hospital has also come true. It's no longer a dream. Now, we also have a Malasakit Center at your OFW Hospital,”)

Go initiated the Malasakit Centers program back in 2018.

The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 mandates the establishment of one-stop shops that streamline the process of acquiring aid from concerned agencies, namely, the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Its primary aim is to reduce a hospital bill to the lowest amount possible by covering various patient services and fees.