THE"Malasakit Center" was launched at the Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center (RLMMC) in Angeles City on March 4, 2021, to provide more medical assistance to financially challenged Angelenos.
Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. has commended the strong efforts of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go in establishing the Malasakit Center in RLMMC, a one-stop-shop where indigent patients can avail of financial services from agencies such as PhilHealth, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Lazatin and Go inaugurated the center with Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Debold Sinas; Chief Presidential Legal Council lawyer Salvador Panelo; Pampanga Vice Governor Lilia "Nanay" Pineda; First District Representative Carmelo "Jon" Lazatin II; Second District Board Member Fritzie David-Dizon; Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting and city officials.
“Maraming salamat po [Senator], dahil mas marami pang mahihirap na Angeleños ang magkakaroon ng karagdagang tulong pagdating sa serbisyong pangkalusugan mula sa gobyerno, ngayong meron nang Malasakit Center dito sa Ospital Ning Angeles,” Lazatin said.
"I commend your support in pushing for the realization of the said project, to be of assistance to more Angeleños," he added.
Lazatin also cited the P3-million cheque given to the Malasakit Center by Go, as well as vitamins and grocery donations to the patients and medical frontliners in RLMMC. This amount, intended for financial assistance to indigent patients, is replenishable every month.
The senator also vowed to donate P10 million to support the hospital in its further programs.
Lazatin shared in his speech that he was reminded of the program of his late father former Pampanga First District Representative and Angeles City Mayor, Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin, called "Mayor’s Desk."
“Noon pong Alkalde pa ang aking Ama, the city implemented a similar program, ‘yun pong tinatawag na Mayor’s Desk. Ginawa po ito bilang extension ng Office of the mayor – para po yung mga mahihirap nating kababayan na andito sa ospital at kailangan na ng gamot o referral sa laboratory na wala dito sa ONA, ay hindi na kailangang pumunta pa sa Mayor’s Office sa City Hall,” Lazatin said.
The Malasakit Center is a presidential mandate initiated by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President, in cooperation with the Department of Health, PhilHealth, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, DSWD, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), and Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, to expedite processes in availing of service relevant to healthcare primarily for, but not limited to, financial assistance.
This is the second Malasakit Center in Pampanga and the 102nd in the country.
Also present during the launch of the Malasakit Center were RLMMC Head Dr. Froilan Canlas and staff, representatives from PCSO Lolita Gemo and Cynthia Maninang; DSWD-Central Luzon Assistant Regional Director for Operations Lalaine De Leon; PhilHealth-Central Luzon Vice President Edgardo Faustino; and Pagcor. (PR)