The Malasakit Centers were established by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go with the aim of making healthcare more accessible to Filipinos. One example is Christopher Allen Felizardo, a 28-year-old Lalamove rider from Davao City, who is thankful for how this government initiative improved his family's situation.
For years, Christopher and his wife faced challenges raising their son, Caleb, who was diagnosed with congenital hearing loss.
“Simula po nung napanganak ‘yung anak ko, napansin po namin na parang ‘di po siya nagre-response ‘pag siya po ay tinatawag,” Christopher shared.
“Kaya po namin siya ipinacheck sa doktor. Siya nga po ay mayroong congenital hearing loss.”
As a working-class father, Christopher understood the financial burden of medical care and hearing devices. However, his perspective changed when he discovered the Malasakit Center—a government facility designed to help reduce hospital costs for those in need.
Senator Go is the principal author of Republic Act No. 11463, also known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which made the program permanent. Today, there are 166 Malasakit Centers nationwide, providing assistance with medical expenses to patients.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), the program has already supported over 15 million Filipinos.
“Nalaman po namin na mayroon palang solusyon para makarinig siya… hanggang sa nalaman po namin ‘yung Malasakit Center,” he said.
The center helped cover the cost of Caleb’s hearing device, doctor’s fees, and hospital bills.
When Senator Go heard Christopher’s story, he humbly deflected the praise. “‘Wag po kayong magpasalamat sa akin. Ako po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo,” Senator Go said. “Dahil binigyan n’yo po ako ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo po sa inyong lahat. Maraming, maraming salamat.”
Christopher’s story is just one of millions that highlight the impact of the Malasakit Centers. As Christopher looks at his son, now able to hear and respond to the world around him, he knows that the Malasakit Center has given Caleb a chance at a better life.
Through the Malasakit Centers, Senator Bong Go’s health reforms crusade continues to touch lives, one family at a time. For Christopher and Caleb, it’s a story of hope, resilience, and the enduring power of service.