The Malasakit Center initiative, pioneered by health reforms advocate Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, has become a vital refuge for patients grappling with medical emergencies nationwide.
Among those it has served is 26‑year‑old Kimberly Piezas from Davao City, who turned to the program when a complicated pregnancy forced her into an emergency Cesarean section and left her family with a towering medical bill.
At just 33 weeks, her baby was still too premature for delivery, and she recalled how quickly things changed. “Isa ako sa natulungan sa Malasakit Center. Nangyari ‘to noong March 20… Thirty three weeks pa lang ang pagbubuntis ko, kaya masyado pang maaga ang sanggol ko,” she said.
An unexpected delivery soon followed, ushering in long weeks of worry and rising medical expenses. “Matapos ang emergency CS na ‘to, bumaba ang heartbeats ng baby ko. Kaya, one month and five days kami sa ospital,” she explained, recalling countless nights by her newborn’s side.
“Ang laki talaga ng bill,” she added, capturing the strain of an extended hospital stay.
Through this crisis came an unexpected source of help that would carry much of the burden. “Kung tutuusin, ‘yung kailangan naming bayaran, natugunan sa Malasakit (Center). Salamat talaga, Senator Bong Go, sa inyong isinulong na Malasakit Center. Ang laki ng tulong niyan sa pamilya ko,” she said.
Malasakit Centers are one‑stop shops designed 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, the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
Today, 167 Malasakit Centers operate nationwide, poised to assist patients with their medical expenses. According to the Department of Health (DOH), the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than 17 million Filipinos.
Through the initiative of the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, families like that of Kimberly have gained access to vital medical support when it mattered most. The senator has long emphasized the role of government in putting the people first.
“Bakit po natin pahihirapan ang Pilipino? Pera po ng Pilipino ‘yan. Dapat po ibalik sa mabilis na paraan,” said the senator.
Today, as the young mother embraces her child, the senator’s words ring true — and her story stands as a testament to what a genuine focus on health reforms can accomplish.
“For my second term, with all sincerity, I will continue to push for pro‑poor programs and laws, especially on health. Health is wealth. We must collaborate to bring quality medical services closer to our people, particularly the poor and indigent patients. Ang kalusugan ay katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he declared during his proclamation as a re‑elected senator on May 17.