THE story of Marilou Vizcayno, a forty-year-old single mother from Caloocan City, highlights the impact of the Malasakit Center program, an initiative spearheaded by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, which seeks to consolidate and streamline access to medical assistance from various government agencies, providing a one-stop shop for Filipinos in need of financial support for healthcare.
Marilou, living in Barangay Santa Quiteria, Caloocan City, narrated the challenges faced after the birth of her daughter, Francheska Ann or “Iska,” 10, who was diagnosed with Down Syndrome.
The journey began with uncertainty and fear. “No’ng ipinanganak ko po siya, unang kita ko po sa kanya, parang sabi ko, ‘may something’,” Marilou recalled, indicating her initial intuition about her daughter’s condition.
The confirmation of Down Syndrome was a turning point for Marilou, who already faced the challenges of being a solo parent.
“Syempre, kinabahan, natakot na… iniisip ko kung may nagawa ba akong mali,” she expressed, articulating the common concerns of any parent in her situation.
The Malasakit Center at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center in Quezon City became an essential source of hope for Marilou, offering much-needed support for her daughter’s regular checkups and medical needs.
“Ngayon kasi, narinig ko ‘yung about sa Malasakit Center,” she said, explaining her decision to transfer to the hospital with a Malasakit Center. The center provided medical and financial relief, which is essential for parents like Marilou.
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 covering their hospital expenses and reducing 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, 159 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The DOH reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to around ten million Filipinos.
For many Filipino families, the cost of healthcare can be a daunting barrier. Marilou’s story is a testament to this struggle, “Mahirap po, hindi po alam kung saan po tatakbo,” she admitted, reflecting on the difficulties faced without the support of Malasakit Centers.
“Maraming salamat po kay Sir Bong Go dahil may mga ganyang malalapitan po gaya ng itinaguyod ninyong Malasakit (Center),” she added.
The story of Marilou and Iska is one among many, symbolizing the broader impact of Malasakit Centers across the Philippines. It is a narrative of hope, resilience, and the power of concerted government action to make healthcare accessible and affordable for every Filipino, especially those in dire need.
As Marilou put it, “Malaking pasasalamat po para sa amin ‘yung matulungan ninyo po kami kahit sa gano’ng simpleng paglapit lang po sa Malasakit (Center) po.”
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go said that his vision for the Malasakit Centers extends beyond providing aid and focuses on the collective efforts of government in promoting compassion and solidarity in times of crisis.
“Lapitan n’yo lang po ang Malasakit Center. Para po ‘yan sa Pilipino,” Go stated, adding: “tutulong ako sa abot ng aking makakaya. ‘Yan po ang pwede kong ialay sa Pilipino. Ang aking serbisyo at pagmamalasakit po sa inyo.”
