Guv asks PRRD to build Malasakit Center in Southern Leyte

MAASIN CITY, July 5  -- The Southern Leyte government has asked President Rodrigo Duterte to put up a Malasakit Center in the province.

Governor Christopherson Yap on Wednesday said he personally asked Duterte during a visit here on July 2 to set up the facility for poor families that need health services.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop-shop to aid patients seeking assistance from the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

The Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas is the lead agency behind the project and funded by the socio-civic funds of the Office of the President.

Yap said the President told him he would discuss his request to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino.

The first Malasakit Center in the region is housed at the new Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Bacagay village in Tacloban City, which was inaugurated on May 22 by Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go.

Yap said the existing center in Tacloban is very far from their province, which is about four hours travel from Maasin City and more than five hours trip from San Ricardo, the farthest town.

“For people who have nothing, the center can really help them a lot if they seek for medical assistance,” Yap said. “Before we can position our self as economically viable to any market, we have to also take care of our human resources.”

The local government is proposing to establish the center at the Southern Leyte Provincial Hospital in this city’s Dongon village.

To date, the program is available at the Philippine General Hospital, Davao, Cebu, and Tacloban, with Iloilo as the latest addition. The center will also be available in Bacolod City. (RTA/PNA)