The poor patients from GenSan and neighboring towns can now avail on the newly launch Malasakit Center in the government-run Dr. Jorge P. Royeca City Hospital. The launching was held on February 4, 2019 and former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go graced the event. Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino formally unveiled the center, along with city officials led by Mayor Ronnel Rivera.
The Malasakit Center (formerly known as Pagkalinga sa Bayan) is a program of the Duterte administration aimed at serving as a one-stop shop to hasten the delivery of medical services and give poor patients access to free medicines.
Go said the facility will mainly assist indigent residents in getting proper medical care through the convergence of various government agencies. These comprise the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Philippine Health Insurance Corp., and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
GenSan's Malasakit Center is the 22nd in the country and 17th in Mindanao. The government opened last year the country’s 16th and 17th Malasakit Centers at the Cotabato Regional Medical Hospital in Cotabato City and the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital in Isulan town, respectively.
The SOCSKSARGEN Federation and Fishing and Allied Industries Inc. (SFFAII) supported the said project.
