Divina Baloran Ocampo, a 40-year-old house cleaner from Barangay Mayamot, Antipolo City, faced a life-altering challenge when her husband, Dennis De Leon Ocampo, became seriously ill. The family's situation has emphasized the crucial role of the Malasakit Centers, a significant initiative advocated by Senator Bong Go.

Divina recounts the harrowing day in August 2019 when Dennis needed emergency dialysis at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City.

The financial burden was overwhelming for Divina. "Hindi ko po alam kung anong gagawin ko," she expressed, revealing the depths of her despair. It was in this moment of crisis that she learned of the Malasakit Center in NKTI.

"Sa ospital po, doon ko lang po siya nakita, kung paanong proseso po ang gagawin," Divina explains how she came to know about the program. The Malasakit Center, a one-stop shop for medical financial assistance, seemed like a ray of hope.

These centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim 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, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.

As of now, 159 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients' medical expenses. The DOH reported that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to around ten million Filipinos so far.

With medical bills initially amounting to P129,000 and later escalating to P200,000, Divina found solace in the assistance offered.

When asked about the driving force behind this initiative, Divina acknowledged Go.

"Kung wala po siya, hindi po namin alam kung saan po kami lalapit," Divina expressed her gratitude towards Go. His efforts have not only alleviated their financial burden but also provided a much-needed support system for countless Filipinos facing similar challenges.

"Siguro po kung wala 'yung si Mr. Malasakit, mahirap po talaga. Kasi hindi po namin alam kung saan kami lalapit. Mahirap, hindi po namin alam kung paano ang gagawin. Sa sitwasyon ko po, kung nagkataon po na wala si Mr. Malasakit, sa totoo po ang hirap po talaga. Hindi ko po alam kung saan po ako makakalapit," she added.

As Divina and many others like her navigate through the complexities of healthcare and financial distress, the Malasakit Centers, championed by Go, stand as a crucial pillar of support, embodying the spirit of 'malasakit' or compassion in action.

"Hindi po ako titigil sa mga programang makabubuti po sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na 'yung mga kapos sa buhay," Go said.

"Sa totoo lang, pera naman ng taumbayan 'yan, ibinabalik lang sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng mabilis at maayos na serbisyo mula sa Malasakit Centers na handang tumulong sa kanilang pagpapagamot at nagmamalasakit sa kanilang pinagdadaanan," he added.