SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go‘s pivotal role as the proponent of the Malasakit Center program has been a significant source of assistance for many Filipino families grappling with medical crises.
One such beneficiary, Jasmine Tallon, a 29-year-old mother from Sta. Rosa, Laguna, shares her heartfelt story of struggle and gratitude.
Tallon, formerly a plain housewife, found herself thrust into the workforce following her husband’s diagnosis of chronic kidney disease in 2018.
“Dati po akong housewife lang. Pero ngayon, dahil nagkasakit ‘yung husband ko, kailangan ko pong magtrabaho,” she explains.
The severity of her husband’s condition, leading to a kidney transplant, exposed the family to daunting medical expenses. Amidst this adversity, Jasmine discovered the Malasakit Center at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City with Go’s support.
“Unang-una po talagang nakatulong si Senator Bong Go. Sobrang laki po ng ibinibigay niya,” she says, detailing how the senator’s assistance covered significant medical costs, including a Positron emission tomography (PET) scan and vital anti-rejection medication post-transplant.
The Malasakit Center, a program initiated by Go, aims to streamline access to medical and financial assistance from various government agencies. Jasmine’s testimony highlights the program’s impact on families unable to shoulder exorbitant medical bills.
“Kasi, s’yempre, lahat gagawin ko para mabuhay yung asawa ko. May anak po kami eh. Tsaka hindi naman po kami mayaman,” she reflects on her family’s plight.
As Tallon detailed, the monthly medication costs for post-transplant care, including anti-rejection drugs, amounted to around P100,000. The medical assistance through the Malasakit Center was pivotal in these instances as well.
Go’s support to them extended beyond just the assistance from the Malasakit Center. Jasmine recounts how the support was swift and devoid of bureaucratic red tape, a common barrier to accessing government aid.
“Kasi ang dami ko pong senator na nalapitan, siya lang po talaga ‘yung nagbibigay ng ganon tsaka anytime pwede kang lumapit kahit paulit-ulit,” she notes, appreciating his approachability and responsiveness.
Reflecting on the possibility of facing these challenges without the Malasakit Center, Tallon acknowledges the dire situation they would have been in.
“Siguro po kung walang Senator Bong Go, siguro ang sakit na ng ulo ko kakahanap kung paano ilalabas ‘yung asawa ko, kung paano ‘yung gamutan niya,” she speculates, underlining the crucial role the program has played in her family’s life.
Tallon then conveyed her deep gratitude to Go for his substantial aid and emotional support. Her words, imbued with sincerity and appreciation, resonate with the experiences of many Filipino families grappling with healthcare challenges.
“Ang message ko lang po kay Senator Bong Go, kung napapanood n’yo po ito, sobrang thank you po. Hindi lang sa akin, pati yung buong family ko po nagte-thank you sa inyo sa pagmamahal n’yo po sa aming mahihirap,” Tallon said.
“Hindi n’yo man kami kilala or hindi pa man kita personal na nakikita, sobrang thankful na po ako kasi buhay po ng asawa ko ang nakataya dito,” she added.
Her message underscored not just the financial aid received but also recognized the genuine care and empathy extended by Go. Tallon’s words reflect the impact of the senator’s efforts beyond the monetary aspect, touching on the emotional and moral support vital during such trying times.
“’Yung ibinigay ninyong tulong hindi lang naman sa presyo po ‘yon eh, ‘yung tulong n’yo po ay sobrang laki po ‘yon,” Tallon remarked.
She emphasized the genuine care and support she felt from the senator, which extended beyond mere political gestures.
“Ang pagmamalasakit n’yo po, ang pagmamahal n’yo po, tsaka ramdam na ramdam po namin na totoo ‘yung pagmamahal n’yo hindi dahil sa pulitika,” she added.
The Malasakit Center program, designed to consolidate financial assistance from various government agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), has evidently made a significant impact in the lives of Filipinos.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, has urged the public to utilize medical and financial assistance from any of the Malasakit Centers in the country.
“Sa mga pasyente, lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center dahil para ‘to sa inyo. Kung may hospital bill kayo, nandiyan ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong para mabayaran ito,” said Go.
To date, there are 159 operational Malasakit Centers across the country, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. DOH reported that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than ten million Filipinos.
“Nung unang panahon, marami sa mga kababayan natin ang kinakailangang pang lumabas ng ospital at pumila sa iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno para humingi ng tulong. Ubos na panahon nila, ubos pa ang pera nila sa pamasahe. Mangungutang at ibebenta pa niyan ang kalabaw para may maibayad sa naiwang balanse,” Go earlier explained.
”Ngayon, hindi na nila kailangang gawin ‘yan. Kung may billing kayo sa pampublikong ospital, puntahan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center at tutulungan kayo nito,” he added.
Meanwhile, Go issued a reminder to DOH and public hospital workers to ensure that public funds are utilized for the benefit of the poor who are most in need of government assistance. He cited a recent department memorandum signed by Health Secretary Ted Herbosa instructing medical center chiefs to ensure that all patients must be accorded with the available services in Malasakit Centers.
“Ang mga social workers doon sa loob ng Malasakit Centers — at ako mismo pagpupunta ako doon — sinasabihan ko talaga ang mga social workers, ‘Isa lang ang pakiusap ko sa inyo, as chairman ng Committee on Health, huwag niyo pabayaan ang mga mahihirap na pasyente’,” Go said.
