President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Malasakit Center Act last December 2019 as a means to help indigent Filipinos with regards to healthcare. It is a one-stop shop for government medical assistance for indigent Filipinos.
The Malasakit Center Act or Republic Act No. 11463 establishes the Malasakit Program and institutionalizes Malasakit Centers in DOH and other government hospitals in the country.
The Malasakit Program serves to complement the Department of Health’s (DOH) Universal Health Care (UHC) Act.
The Malasakit Center Act was authored by Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go.
However, while the Act was signed into law in 2019, the first Malasakit Center was established on February 2018 by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President as led by Go who was following a directive of the President.
As of July 23, 2021, there are currently 130 Malasakit Centers across the Philippines.
Eligible indigent Filipinos may avail multiple subsidies or financial medical assistance from various government agencies through Malasakit Centers.
The following are the agencies: DOH, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). – PG-rir
