SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and often referred to as the “Mr. Malasakit,” visited the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) on Sunday, January 19. The senator met with beneficiaries of the Malasakit Center, an initiative institutionalized into law that he principally authored and sponsored to simplify access to medical assistance from government agencies.
One moment during the visit stood out as particularly moving. Mrs. Alita Bacunador, who had recently lost her child to osteosarcoma, approached Senator Go to express her gratitude. Despite her grief, she took the time to share how the Malasakit Center had been a lifeline for her family during their most challenging moments.
“Kaninang umaga lang siya pumanaw. Gusto ko lang magpasalamat sa’yo, Senator, kasi lahat ng aming medisina at mga kailangan ay sa Malasakit Center namin nakuha,” she said, her voice tinged with both sorrow and appreciation.
The senator, visibly moved, gently reminded her that the credit should go to a higher power. “Huwag kang magpasalamat sa akin. Magpasalamat tayo sa Diyos na nagbibigay ng buhay. Lagi, ma’am, instrumento lang ako para maglingkod,” he replied.
Still, the mother insisted on showing gratitude, emphasizing how the program had made an immense difference in her life.
“Pero kung wala ka, Senator, hindi ko alam kung saan kami pupunta. Ang malasakit, Senator, totoo. Maraming salamat, Senator. Balik na ako sa trabaho mamaya. Nang malaman kong nariyan ka, dumaan ako. Maraming salamat sa iyong batas,” she said, her words a testament to the impact of accessible healthcare initiatives.
Senator Go, the ever practical servant-leader, reassured her that he was simply doing his job and vowed to continue advocating for programs that help ordinary Filipinos.
“Huwag kang magpasalamat sa akin. Ginagawa ko lang ang trabaho ko. Ginagamit ko lang ang kamay ko sa paglilingkod. Basta ang mga programa na makakatulong sa bayan, patuloy kong isusulong. Maraming salamat. May lugaw kami sa ibaba, kain tayo,” he said, even inviting her to join in the distribution of free porridge.
The poignant interaction encapsulated the essence of the Malasakit Center’s mission: to provide meaningful assistance to those who need it most, especially in their darkest hours.
During his visit, Senator Go emphasized the importance of the Malasakit Center, which was institutionalized through Republic Act 11463. The program consolidates assistance from the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) into a one-stop shop for indigent patients.
The VSMMC in Cebu City is the first to host one of the 166 Malasakit Centers operating nationwide. The DOH reports that the Malasakit Center program has already aided more than 15 million Filipinos.
“Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit, anumang pagsubok ang ating haharapin sa susunod na mga araw, patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” Senator Go said.
