DANTE Gavino, a 54-year-old stroke survivor, is a familiar face in the modest neighborhood of Dulong Tangke Street, Barangay Malinta, Valenzuela City. Before his stroke, Dante lived a simple, hardworking life.
“Ako, trabaho-bahay lang ako,” he recalls.
“Noong hindi pa ako na-stroke, talagang bahay lang ako. Tapos maglilinis, magluluto ng ulam na…” he describes his routine of cooking, cleaning, and caring for his family. His daily life was simple but fulfilling—until the sudden onset of a stroke shattered that routine and upended his life.
After the stroke, Dante faced an arduous path to recovery. Just four days in, he was physically paralyzed and financially drained. With his wife as the only breadwinner, working odd jobs to make ends meet, their family was pushed to the brink.
“Labandera lang asawa ko,” he shares, emphasizing the precarious balance his family held to survive. The financial burden of medical bills loomed large over them, adding to the emotional strain of his recovery.
It was during this time of desperate need that the Malasakit Center at Valenzuela Medical Center became a crucial source of support for Dante and his family. The Malasakit Center program, an initiative spearheaded by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, was designed precisely for individuals like Dante—Filipinos whose medical struggles could potentially push them into destitution without intervention.
Through the Malasakit Center, Dante accessed the financial aid he urgently needed, covering essential medical expenses and making his recovery journey a little less daunting.
“Si Sir Bong Go, maraming natulungang mga may sakit. Katulad ko, mahihirap, walang panggamot. Ako, natulungan niya ako,” Dante shared, his voice filled with gratitude.
His gratitude is unmistakable as he talks about the kindness he experienced.
“Si Bong Go, napakabait, ‘di siya mayabang na tao,” he says with conviction, highlighting how Go’s support helped him through his darkest hours. With each day of recovery, Dante’s appreciation deepened for the work done by the Malasakit Center, and he knows he is not alone. He witnessed other families, equally burdened by illness and poverty, receiving help through the center’s services.
“Talagang totoo po, marami kayong lahat natutulungan. Halos puro may hirap, may sakit, natutulungan n’yo, sir,” Dante expresses with genuine emotion, grateful not only for himself but for countless others who benefit from this initiative.
His message to Go is clear:
“Maraming, maraming salamat po, sir. Dahil ang laking tulong n’yo sa tao.”
Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops aiming to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
As of now, 166 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The Department of Health (DOH) reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than 15 million Filipinos.
As patients continue on their road to recovery, many find themselves inspired by the words they’ve heard from Go:
“Hindi ko po sasayangin ‘yung pagkakataong binigay niyo po sa akin. Magta-trabaho po ako para sa Pilipino.”
For those aided by the Malasakit Center, these sentiments are a reminder to honor the assistance that allows them to envision a future once again.
