Press Release - Bong Go's Malasakit Centers: A haven for impoverished Filipinos needing medical assistance

Amid prevailing financial hardships particularly among poor Filipinos, the pivotal role of Senator Christopher "Bong" Go's Malasakit Centers comes to fore through the compelling narrative of 23-year-old Wally Bernardo of Cavite.

A small baking business, which Wally runs with his partner, helps cover his dialysis expenses. His ordeal started in 2017 when a nagging backache unveiled an unsettling reality - a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease secondary to arthritis.

Initially misdiagnosed with high blood pressure, he soon found himself restricted to the regular hum of dialysis machines, a routine that escalated from three times a week to an excruciating 12 times a week, as his condition worsened.

As Wally's medical bills soared, he sought intervention from a Malasakit Center, which led to a much-needed relief for his dire financial situation.

Recounting the day his relatives approached the center, Wally said, "After noon, lumapit kami sa social health service... lumapit kami do'n, then alam kong first pa lang may Malasakit na dito, then lumapit kami do'n.

"Lumapit 'yung mga relatives ko hanggang sa ngayong umaga, ibinigay sa amin 'yung bill, ngayong tanghali pinrocess, ngayong hapon discharge na kami."

The indelible mark of gratitude is apparent in Wally's words, "Maraming, maraming salamat kay Senator Bong Go, sa staff na kanyang... nagpapasalamat ako sa tulong niya sa amin, sa mga guarantee letter, sa services niya for those people na... wala naman financially na pwedeng mahingan ng tulong."

"Maraming, maraming salamat kasi mayroong Senator Bong Go na tumutulong sa amin," he added.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go persistently encouraged the public to avail themselves of the medical and financial assistance offered by the Malasakit Centers.

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.

The Malasakit Centers Act of