110TH MALASAKIT CENTER. Senator Bong Go (4th from left) and North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco (4th from right) lead the unveiling of the 110th Malasakit Center marker at the North Cotabato Provincial Hospital in barangay Amas, Kidapawan City on Wednesday afternoon (May 12, 2021). The senator says the new Malasakit facility will receive a monthly allotment of PHP3 million from the government. (Photo courtesy of North Cotabato PIO)
KIDAPAWAN CITY – Senator Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go led the formal opening of the 110th Malasakit Center at the North Cotabato Provincial Hospital (NCPH) in Barangay Amas here on Wednesday afternoon.
Go said the Malasakit Center will have a monthly allocation of PHP3 million based on the provisions under Republic Act 11463, otherwise known as "Malasakit Center Act," signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in December 2019.
It is a one-stop shop for agencies like PhilHealth, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Health (DOH) to cater to patients, particularly the indigents, with excess bills confined at the NCPH.
“This initiative intends that all patients, especially the less fortunate, will be discharged from this hospital without paying any money from their pockets,” Go said.
The senator also committed PHP10-million assistance for the needed improvement and equipment of the hospital.
Meanwhile, Go also extended PHP3,000 cash assistance, grocery packs, vitamins, and face shields to 267 frontline personnel of NCPH.
The 176 confined patients at the hospital also each received PHP3,000 cash and grocery items.
Housing program
Later in the day, the senator, together with National Housing Authority General Manager Marcelino P. Escalada Jr., Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, and Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph A. Evangelista led the groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting of the OFW Village in the city.
“The project is intended for the Overseas Filipino Workers’ families affected by the 2019 series of earthquakes here,” Evangelista said.
Evangelista noted that 184 housing units are set to be constructed in the first phase while 71 more units will be built in the second phase of the project.
“Also included is the installation of electric and water connections; development of park and playgrounds,” the mayor told the senator.
The groundbreaking was followed by the turnover of the 400 newly-constructed houses in the relocation site in Barangay Ilomavis that is intended for displaced families with homes wrecked by the 2019 episodes of earthquakes, and those living in hazardous areas.
“Another 200 units will be constructed for families still on the critical zones and will be relocated here soon,” Evangelista said. (PNA)
