SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, Chair of the Senate Health Committee, continues to provide significant aid to Filipinos struggling with healthcare issues. Among those who have benefited are Victor Crespo and his mother, Mercedita, whose lives were changed after a chance encounter with the senator.
Victor, a Grab rider and vendor of Graham balls, expressed his deep gratitude following an unexpected meeting with Go. Despite his relentless efforts to support his ailing mother and wife, Victor had never anticipated attention from such a high-ranking official.
“Hindi ko inaasahan kasi imagine mo, senator… totoo palang meron palang mabait na tao,” Victor remarked, highlighting his initial disbelief and the broader neglect he felt from society: “Kasi ang dami nang nakakita sa amin, wala naman pumapansin sa amin sa ganyan.”
The senator’s genuine interest in Victor’s hardships led to immediate and substantial support. “Natanong po niya sa akin kanina kung bakit ako, eto, Grab rider na nagtitinda pa ng Graham. Sinabi ko po sa kanya ‘yung kwento ko, kinapalan ko na po ‘yung mukha ko,” Victor shared, discussing the challenges he faced in supporting his family, especially his mother and wife who were both ill.
The senator’s response went beyond mere words: he bought all of Victor’s Graham balls and took him to watch a PBA game. He also guided him on how to avail of assistance from the Malasakit Centers program.
This meeting encouraged Victor to seek help for his mother, Mercedita Crespo, a 64-year-old from Tondo, Manila City, who was struggling with kidney problems.
“Ako po ay nagkaroon ng sakit po… kidney stone po muna. Pagkatapos po nun, nakaramdam po ako ng pananakit ng tagiliran. Nang tiyan, nang pusud ko,” Mercedita shared, detailing the onset of her health issues as she needed surgery in the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City
“Laging tanong sa akin ng doktor kung ako raw ba ay na-operahan na sa tiyan. Kaya sabi ko, hindi pa,” she explained.
Through the support provided by the Malasakit Center, she received medical assistance from the government that significantly helped in paying for her laboratory tests and ongoing treatment. She continues to receive assistance for check-ups and is hopeful for a successful operation soon.
“Kung walang Malasakit (Center), wala, hindi ko magagawa itong mga laboratory. Hindi ko po kaya magpagamot,” she confessed.
Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). These one-stop shops aim 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.
Currently, 163 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The DOH reports that the Malasakit Center program has aided over ten million Filipinos.
“Kay Senator Bong Go po, ako’y nagpapasalamat po ng marami sa inyo. At sana po ay tuluy-tuloy akong makalapit sa inyo,” she expressed.
“Isa lang po ang pakiusap ko sa inyong lahat dito sa Malasakit, Senator Bong Go. Huwag niyo pong pabayaan ‘yung mga mahirap nating kababayan,” she pleaded, calling for continued support for those who are least able to afford healthcare.
Malasakit Centers are a lifeline for many Filipinos like Mercedita and Victor, who might otherwise be overwhelmed by the cost and complexity of medical care. The centers exemplify the transformative power of holistic governmental support in healthcare, providing medical and financial relief to the most vulnerable populations.
“Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit, anumang pagsubok ang ating haharapin sa susunod na mga araw, patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” Go said.
