Minority Sen. Risa Hontiveros has suggested to change the name of Malasakit Centers.
Malasakit Center has been a pet project of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, providing financial assistance to Filipinos in need. It is a one-stop shop that houses representatives from various government agencies such as the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. Currently, we have at least 41 Malasakit Centers around the country.
Go filed a bill seeking to institutionalize Malasakit Centers. During the interpellations of Go’s bill, Hontiveros suggested that the term “Kalusugan” be added to the name.
She explained, “Given the enhanced functions of the center, which now go beyond medical and financial assistance… would the sponsor, again at the proper time, be amenable to including the word ‘kalusugan’ as in ‘Kalusugan at Malasakit Center?”
Go replied that he is open to the idea but explained that the term “Malasakit” represented the government’s “compassion” for its people.
He said, “We use ‘malasakit’ (compassion) because in the centers we show ‘malasakit’ to patients and families needing assistance. Tulad nga nung unang panahon, Masagana 99.”
The senator was referring to former President Ferdinand Marcos’s rice program.
Meanwhile, “Masalakit” was taken from President Rodrigo Duterte’s election campaign slogan, “Tapang at Malasakit.”
READ: Sen. Bong Go wants face-to-face debate with De Lima
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This article first appeared on ABS-CBN News.
Gumawa ka din ng sau honti... wala ka nà bang maisip... o ur just afraid that malasakit centers will be a tatak digong
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