Sulu opens 2nd Malasakit Center, Tausugs thankful to Duterte, Go

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Muslim province of Sulu inaugurated its second “Malasakit Center,” the eighth in the Bangsamoro autonomous region in the southern Philippines, and 36^th in Mindanao, according to Gov. Sakur Tan on Sunday.

 

Photos from the provincial government and municipal government of Maimbung show the inauguration of the Malasakit Center at Sulu Sanitarium hospital and the distribution of food aid to some 3,000 beneficiaries. 

Tan said no less than Sen. Bong Go led the virtual unveiling of the Malasakit Center at the Sulu Sanitarian in the capital town of Jolo. The Friday’s inauguration of the center was also participated by Sulu Rep. Samier Tan, Jolo Mayor Kerkhar Tan, Sec. Michael Lloyd Dino, the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas; Asec. Girlie Veloso, from the Office of the President; and Dr. Aminkadra Majid, the hospital’s chief, among others.

“We are so thankful to President Duterte and Senator Bong Go, and all those who made this possible. Our people are grateful and this second Malasakit Center will benefit more Tausug, especially the poor,” Tan said by phone from his office in Patikul town. 

He said the hospital also received some P2.5 million from Duterte. Go also provided a P5 million medical assistance fund to the hospital and allocated another P5 million to support the Sulu Sanitarium. 

The Malasakit Center is a One-Stop Shop where poor patients can efficiently access financial medical assistance from agencies such as Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. 

Tan said Duterte and Go also extended food aid to some 3,000 beneficiaries of a special program called “Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation” in Maimbung town. The program is under the Office of the President. 

He said the distribution, which started Friday, continued until Sunday, and was closely supervised by Maimbung Mayor Shihla Hayudini to ensure the health protocols were strictly followed. 

Last month, Go also inaugurated a Malasakit Center in Isabela City in the Muslim province of Basilan. (Mindanao Examiner)