ANGELES CITY – The “Malasakit Center” was launched at the Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center (RLMMC) on March 4, 2021 to provide more medical assistance to financially-challenged Angeleños.
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).
Mayor Lazatin and Sen. Go inaugurated the center with Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Debold Sinas; Chief Presidential Legal Council Atty. Salvador Panelo; Pampanga Vice Governor Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda; First District Rep. 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, in order to be of assistance to more Angeleños,” he added.
Lazatin also cited the P3 million cheque given to the Malasakit Center by Sen. Go, as well as his 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 vows to donate P10 million to support the hospital in its further programs.
In his speech, Mayor Lazatin shared 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 furthered.
The Malasakit Center is a presidential mandate initiated by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President, in cooperation with DOH, PhilHealth, PCSO, DSWD, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, with the purpose of expediting processes in availing of service relevant to healthcare primarily for, but not limited to, financial assistance.
This is the 2nd Malasakit Center in the Pampanga province, and the 102nd in the country.
Also present during the launch of the Malasakit Center are RLMMC Head Dr. Froilan Canlas and staff, representatives from PCSO Lolita Gemo and Cynthia Maninang; DSWD III Asst. Regional Director for Operations Lalaine De Leon; PhilHealth Region III Vice President Edgardo Faustino; and PAGCOR.