Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go is pushing for the establishment of halfway houses near major government hospitals to support patient watchers, saying families who stay with hospitalized loved ones often bear emotional, physical, and financial burdens that go largely unrecognized.

Go, vice chair of the Senate Committee on Health, said medical care does not only affect patients confined to hospital beds but also relatives who take turns serving as designated bantay, often leaving work and family behind for extended periods.

“Hindi lang pasyente ang may dinadala sa ospital. May asawa, magulang, apo, o pamangkin na naiwan ang trabaho at pamilya para magbantay,” Go said. “Sila ang tahimik na sumusuporta sa paggaling, kahit pagod at kapos, tuloy pa rin.”

The senator made the remarks following a recent visit to the Southern Philippines Medical Center Balay Pahulayan in Davao City, where he checked on families temporarily staying near the hospital.

Go said policies and programs should formally recognize patient watchers as part of the healthcare equation, noting that basic assistance such as food, temporary shelter, and transportation support can significantly ease the strain of long hospital stays.

“May mga pamilyang salitan ang pagbabantay—minsan ang asawa, minsan ang anak, minsan ang apo,” he said. “Kahit simpleng tulong sa pagkain o pamasahe, malaking ginhawa na ‘yan sa kanila.”

Go said the concept of halfway houses was inspired by initiatives in Davao City during the time of then-mayor Rodrigo Duterte. The model has since expanded to serve families of patients in major government hospitals.

Facilities championed by Go are either operational or under development at the University of the Philippines–Philippine General Hospital, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Southern Philippines Medical Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center, and Dr. Jose Rodriguez Memorial Hospital.

The senator also cited Malasakit Centers as a complementary support system for families struggling with medical expenses. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the one-stop shop program in government hospitals nationwide.

The Department of Health said Malasakit Centers have assisted more than 17 million Filipinos since their rollout, helping patients and families reduce out-of-pocket expenses by coordinating aid from various government agencies.

Go said sustained attention to the needs of patient watchers should be part of broader discussions on healthcare access and social support, stressing that their role is essential to patient recovery.

“May mga bantay na ilang linggo o buwan nang hindi umuuwi,” Go said. “Kung tutulungan natin sila kahit sa maliit na paraan, mas nagiging magaan ang laban ng buong pamilya.”