House Passes Malasakit Bill; President Duterte to Sign Soon

House Bill (HB) No. 5477, also known as “Malasakit Bill” was approved by legislators on its 3rd and final reading last Monday, November 18, 2019.

A total of 185 legislators approved the said bill, 1 voted no and 7 abstained from voting.

Malasakit Bill requires all Department of Health (DOH)-run hospitals to put up Malasakit Centers to cater indigent patients who cannot afford decent healthcare especially patients suffering from serious conditions.

Senator Go also encouraged all Local Government Unit (LGU)-run hospitals to also put up Malasakit Centers.

He revealed that President Rodrigo Duterte may sign the bill soon.

“Hopefully the president will sign December this year, masaya po ako na isa sa pinangako ko noon ay magiging katuparan na po (I am happy that my promise to the Filipino people will finally be implemented),” Go said.

Malasakit Center serves as a one-stop shop of the DOH, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Office of the President.

“Naa na tanan didto sa Malasakit Centers para dili na sila mahasol pa, dali ra kaayo sila mahuman sa ilang transactions (All concerned government agencies will be there, the process of the transaction is so easy),” Go added.

There are currently 37 Malasakit Centers nationwide including one in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

“Kung kinsa toy gusto magpa opera sa Manila nay mga dili kaya operahan akoy magpadala sa ilaha sa Manila, kung kaya man diri sa Malasakit Center, ako mu salo sa tanang operasyon nila sa Manila especially katong mga komplikado nga mga sakit (For those who wanted to undergo medical operations in Manila, I will shoulder the operation expenses especially those who have complicated diseases), Go said

Senator Go was in Barangay Casuntingan in Mandaue City on Saturday, November 23, to aid more than 500 families who were displaced by the recent fire last November 14. Eighty-five (85) houses were totally burned.

Senator Go distributed financial and relief assistance along with other government agencies like DSWD, NHA, DOLE, PCSO, DTI and PCUP.

“Lain laing mga ahensya sa goberno ang naa diri, lain lain ang ilang dala, ang importante mag tinabangay lang ta para makatabok lang sila sa nahitabo sa ilaha, importante sa ako walay masakitan (Different government agencies are here to help the victims, what’s important to me is that no one gets hurt),” Go said. (MLC)