SEN. Bong Go urged concerned government agencies during a Senate hearing to sign the proposed Joint Administrative Order (JAO) aimed at expanding the medical assistance provided for Malasakit Centers.
In a Senate hearing on Monday, October 14, Go said that the JAO involves the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the Department of Health (DoH), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that are mandated to be part of all Malasakit Centers under the law in order to expand the medical assistance provided, particularly for disadvantaged patients.
In particular, the proposed JAO will allow the DSWD to offer qualified beneficiaries additional medical-related financial aid normally offered by PhilHealth, DoH and PCSO.
Go emphasized the importance of this initiative, saying, “They (should) no longer need to beg or ask for help from various government agencies.”
Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops that aim to help impoverished patients reduce their hospital costs in every way legally possible.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Republic Act (RA) 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
Currently, 166 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, ready to assist patients with their medical expenses.
The DoH reported that the Malasakit Center program has aided over 15 million Filipinos.
During the hearing, Go expressed his frustration over the prolonged delay of the JAO, which has been under discussion since 2023.
The proposed joint order is expected to allow the DSWD to provide more than just transportation and financial assistance but also offer medical aid.
Go reminded concerned officials that the delay has left countless patients without the help they desperately needed.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the amended JAO document still required legal review.
“We received the amended JAO from DoH last week. It’s right here now. It’s due for legal review in our department, but we will sign it as soon as possible,” he said.
Gatchalian assured the Senate that despite the delay, the DSWD fully supported the initiative and would work swiftly to ensure the JAO will be signed soonest.
Go recommended that the matter should be settled immediately, “before their budget gets approved.”
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