Since its inception in 2018, the Malasakit Centers program has extended a helping hand to more than 15 million Filipinos nationwide, as announced by the Department of Health during a public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Health last October 2.

A brainchild of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go who chairs the Senate Health Committee, the Malasakit Centers emerged from his firsthand experiences with Filipinos struggling to access medical assistance.

This concept began when Senator Go served with then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Witnessing the barriers faced by families trying to access medical support, Go was motivated to create a more compassionate and streamlined system when he became the Special Assistant to the President.

“Hindi mo na nga alam kung gagaling pa ang pasyente, hindi mo rin alam kung saan kukunin ang pambayad sa ospital at pambili ng mga gamot. Nakita natin noong mayor pa lang sa Davao City si dating Pangulong Duterte kung gaano kahirap ang palipat-lipat ng opisina para manghingi lang ng financial assistance mula sa mga opisina ng gobyerno,” Go cited.

Malasakit Centers were established with one clear mission: to bring together various government assistance programs into a one-stop shop to simplify the process for Filipinos in need.

Through these centers, patients can access help from agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and PhilHealth—all under one roof.

“Hindi na kailangang pumila pa sa iba’t ibang opisina at gumastos ng pamasahe. Nilagay na natin sa iisang kwarto sa loob ng mga piling pampublikong ospital ang apat na ahensya na may mga programang makakatulong sa pagpapagamot,” he explained.

By putting them together the participating agencies in one location, the Malasakit Centers have successfully eliminated the burden of navigating through multiple offices and long bureaucratic procedures.

“Rest assured na ipaglalaban ko ang mga batas na ang makikinabang ay ‘yung mga mahihirap, ‘yung mga helpless, hopeless at walang matakbuhan,” he stressed.

“Tandaan natin na ang kalusugan ay katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he added.

As of today, there are a total of 166 Malasakit Centers across the country. These centers are strategically distributed to ensure nationwide accessibility, with 93 centers located in Luzon, 30 in the Visayas, and 43 in Mindanao.

These centers, housed in qualified government-run hospitals, have become a beacon of hope for many Filipinos who were previously overwhelmed by the complexities of seeking medical assistance. By providing a streamlined process, the Malasakit Centers ensure that much-needed help is accessible without added stress, especially for the indigent and vulnerable sectors.

“Meron tayong 166 Malasakit Centers nationwide—in every region. From as far north in Batanes to as far south in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. Sa pinaka-west in Palawan, meron tayong tatlo doon, to as far east in Eastern Samar, Siargao all the way to Davao Oriental, sa ating eastern seaboard,” cited Go.

“Hindi niyo kailangan magpasalamat. Kung tutuusin, pera naman ito ng mga Pilipino, ibinabalik lang sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng maayos at mas mabilis na tulong pangmedikal. Huwag na nating pahirapan pa ang naghihirap na,” he highlighted.

Senator Go also expressed his gratitude to the partnered agencies and institutions that have helped make the program effective, emphasizing the importance of working together to achieve a common goal.

“The success of Malasakit Centers would not have been possible without the collaboration of our partner agencies led by DOH and the support of fellow lawmakers in enacting it into law. Their continued support is a testament to our shared commitment to uplift the lives of our people, especially in times of medical need,” Go said.

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.

To bring health services closer to Filipinos, Go also vowed to further pursue the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide and the implementation of Regional Specialty Centers Act which he also principally sponsored and authored.

“Hindi ko po sasayangin yung pagkakataon na ibinigay niyo sa akin. Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino. Iyan ang aking maiaalay sa inyo — ang kasipagan ko sa pagtatrabaho at pagtulong sa abot ng aking makakaya. Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbjsyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” he underscored.