Press Release - 164th Malasakit Center launched in SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital as Bong Go continues efforts to help poor and indigent patients get needed medical aid

In a significant development for healthcare access in the country, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, father of Malasakit Centers program, was invited to attend the inauguration of the 164th Malasakit Center at SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital in Surallah, South Cotabato on Thursday, May 2.

This event marked another milestone in a nationwide effort to streamline medical assistance especially for underprivileged Filipinos. Other Malasakit Centers nearby are located at the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Koronadal City and Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital in General Santos City.

"Congratulations po sa ating SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital sa inyong new Malasakit Center. Ito na po 'yung 164th na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas. 43 na po sa Mindanao, 91 sa Luzon, 30 po sa Visayas. One-stop shop po ito, para po ito sa Pilipino," said Go in an interview on the same day.

The Malasakit Centers program, initiated by Senator Go in 2018, was designed to reduce the burden on patients by consolidating the medical assistance programs of various government agencies under one roof. These include the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

The program was institutionalized through Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act which Go principally sponsored and authored in 2019. The inspiration behind the Malasakit Centers stemmed from Senator Go's close observations of the hardships faced by impoverished sectors when availing themselves of needed government assistance for medical services.

"Ang mahirap, huwag nang mas pahirapan pa... Sa Malasakit Center, hindi niyo na kailangang pumila o umikot pa sa iba't ibang opisina para humingi ng tulong pampagamot. Nasa isang kwarto na sa loob mismo ng hospital ang apat na ahensya na tutulong sa inyo. Lapitan niyo lang, para sa bawat Pilipino 'yan lalo na sa mga poor at indigent patients," explained Go.

Since its inception, the program has successfully aided over ten million Filipinos, a testament to its wide-reaching impact nationwide. "The establishment of the 164th center in