MARIA Olympia Evangelista has spent countless hours in hospital corridors—waiting for tests, enduring procedures, and hoping that each chemotherapy session might buy her more time. Diagnosed with cancer, the resident of Project 4, Quezon City, found herself facing an overwhelming pile of medical expenses. Yet, through a Malasakit Center, she discovered hope and strength when she needed it most.
“Sa mga laboratories ko, ultrasound. Basta lahat ng mga kailangan ko sa hospital, nilalapit ko sa Malasakit Center. At tinutugunan naman nila agad. Halos wala na akong nababayaran sa hospital, sa mga bills, sa mga ultrasound, chemotherapy,” she shared.
The Malasakit Centers initiative, a key component of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s health reforms crusade for better healthcare for all, was created for patients like Evangelista—Filipinos who, without financial aid, would have no choice but to forego life-saving treatments. These one-stop shops consolidate assistance from various government agencies to ease the financial burden on indigent patients.
Senator Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the program. Since its implementation, 167 Malasakit Centers have been established nationwide. According to the Department of Health (DOH), the initiative has already assisted more than 17 million Filipinos.
For Evangelista, the impact has been profound. The burden of her illness is not just physical—it is economic, emotional, and psychological. But through the Malasakit Center, she continues her treatments without the constant anxiety of mounting hospital bills.
Her gratitude took a personal turn when she had an unexpected encounter with the senator himself. “Nagsimba kasi ako dito sa office. Paglabas po namin, nakasalubong namin si Senator Bong Go. Nagpasalamat ako sa kanya. Kaya inabutan kami ng t-shirt at nilapitan kami ng staff niya,” she recalled.
The moment was brief, but it carried great meaning for her. “Hindi ako nagdalawang-isip na magpasalamat kay Senator Bong Go nung makita ko siya,” she said. “Senator Bong Go, maraming, maraming salamat sa Malasakit.”
Evangelista’s words reflect the sentiments of many who have found relief through the Malasakit Center program. While healthcare remains a pressing issue in the country, for those who have benefited from the initiative, it has made all the difference.
“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” underscored Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.
“Ilapit natin ang serbisyo sa mga Pilipino lalo na pagdating sa kalusugan ng mga mahihirap. Tandaan natin na ang kalusugan ay katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he ended.
