BY DAVE SUAN ALBARADO
The head of Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center (GCGMMC) has reassured the public Wednesday that the Malasakit Centers program, designed to streamline financial aid for indigent patients, will continue despite budgetary problems.
Dr. Miguelito Jayoma, speaking on a DYTR program hosted by Ardy Araneta-Batoy and Gloria Leodivica Araneta, said the program can draw from multiple funding sources, including PhilHealth, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the Department of Health’s Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients fund.
Additional support, such as guarantee letters from politicians and zero-balance billing provisions, can also help cover medical expenses.
“The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop for patients needing financial assistance,” Jayoma said, stressing its role in easing the burden of medical costs for low-income families.
The Malasakit Centers program, established under Republic Act No. 11463 authored by Sen. Bong Go in 2019, consolidates government assistance programs to provide seamless financial assistance to patients.
The program has been praised for reducing bureaucratic delays but has faced scrutiny over funding sustainability and potential politicization.
Jayoma dismissed issues that political involvement could undermine the program, noting that health remains a priority for most public officials.
“Politicians often place health high on their platforms,” he said.
Jayoma also addressed ongoing problems with hospital capacity, noting that while GCGMMC frequently operates at full capacity, service quality remains uncompromised.
He pointed out improvements in patient care, including the elimination of bed-sharing for recovering mothers, a practice once common during overcrowding.
To manage demand, Jayoma said the hospital prioritizes mothers with complex medical needs, advising those with uncomplicated pregnancies to seek care at other facilities.
“This ensures we focus on critical cases,” he added.
Jayoma, who assumed his role as medical center chief in late 2024 following the retirement of Dr. Mutya Kismet Tirol-Macuno, said the hospital is preparing for a performance audit to evaluate its operations and efficiency.
Macuno, who stepped down after a long tenure, was elected to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in the May 2025 elections.
The GCGMMC serves thousands of patients annually and is one of over 150 facilities nationwide hosting a Malasakit Center.
The program has disbursed billions in aid since its inception, though debates over its long-term funding persist over rising healthcare costs.