Two patients thank Bong Go for life-saving Malasakit Centers

During his visit to Victorias City in Negros Occidental on Sunday, 24 March 2024, two patients approached Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, expressing their heartfelt thanks for the life-saving medical assistance they received through the Malasakit Centers which the senator initiated.

Joenila Escora Cantado, 17, suffering from Congenital Heart Disease, and Jairus Romales Pabon, 10, diagnosed with a congenital heart defect known as “Tetralogy of Fallot,” reached out to the Malasakit Center at the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) in Quezon City seeking help for their medical procedures.

Their journey for assistance began with the Nikki Cares Foundation, a non-governmental organization led by Ms. Nikki Benitez, the wife of Mayor Albee Benitez.

Together, they provided initial support, including transportation and financial assistance.

Further aid was sought through Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative Kiko Benitez, emphasizing the collaborative effort across different levels of governance and civil society to support patients in need.

Upon realizing the financial gap even after local support, both families, with the help of the Senate Office of Go, were guided to submit applications for additional assistance through the Malasakit Centers, which act as one-stop shops for accessing medical and financial assistance from various government agencies.

Jairus' mother reached out with a message of thanks that resonated deeply, highlighting the impact of the assistance her family received. "To Senator Bong Go, maraming, maraming salamat po. Sana po marami ka pang matulungan," she said.

Similarly, Joenila, with a sense of renewed hope and gratitude, shared her own story of transformation and recovery as she thanked the senator.

"Nandito po ako ngayon, nagpapasalamat sa inyo dahil tinulungan ninyo ako. Dahil po sa inyo, natuloy ako mag-aral. Sobrang saya ko po kasi naging okay na po ako. Maraming salamat po sa inyo. Sana po marami pa kayong matulungan,” she said.

Go reflected, "I am deeply moved by the stories of Joenila and Jairus. It is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together for the common good.”

“The Malasakit Centers were created exactly for this reason—to reduce the hospital bills to the least possible amount, especially for indigent patients. Ito ay patunay na kapag tayo ay nagtulungan, walang imposible,” he added.

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, 161 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients' medical expenses.

The DOH reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than ten million Filipinos.

The assistance provided to Cantado and Pabon through the Malasakit Center initiative amounted to significant sums, ensuring that the surgeries and treatments could proceed.

These contributions were crucial in covering the substantial costs associated with their heart surgeries at the PHC.

Go said that through the collaborative efforts of the Nikki Cares Foundation, local government officials, and national support through the Malasakit Centers, patients like Cantado and Pabon are given a new lease on life, exemplifying the powerful synergy between compassionate governance and community solidarity.

“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” underscored Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.