Bong Go warns vs fake loan aid posts; condemns misuse of Malasakit Centers' name
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has called on the public to be vigilant against fraudulent social media pages misusing the Malasakit Centers’ logo to promote fake loan assistance.
Go made the call after the Department of Health (DOH) cautioned the public against certain Facebook pages illegally using the Malasaking Program Office for such assistance, claiing they are online outlets of the centers.
The chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography said these social media platforms are not associated with the legitimate Malasakit Centers.
Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops within government hospitals that deliver medical and financial assistance to indigent patients created by virtue of Republic Act No. 11463.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of RA No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
Currently, there are 159 Malasakit Centers that are operational nationwide. These centers are poised to assist with patients' medical expenses.
According to the DOH, the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to around 10 million Filipinos.
“Our goal with Malasakit Centers has always been clear: to ensure that every Filipino, regardless of their financial status, can access medical assistance from the government for their healthcare needs,” Go said in a statement.
“Walang kapalit ang tulong mula sa Malasakit Centers. Pera ng taumbayan yan, binabalik lang sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng mabilis, maayos at maaasahang serbisyo o tulong pampagamot (The assistance offered at Malasakit Centers are free. It is using public funds that are being used to serve back to the people through faster, improved and reliable medical services),” he added.
Go further said he supports the DOH's stance on filing legal action against the individuals responsible for these fraudulent activities.
“We will not tolerate any actions that exploit the good intentions of Malasakit Centers. The legal measures being considered are necessary to protect our citizens and ensure the continued integrity of these centers,” the lawmaker said.