STUDENTS SHARE MOVING STORIES OF HOPE THROUGH BONG GO’S MALASAKIT CENTER INITIATIVE DURING SENATE VISIT

Krystelle Morales could not keep her tears at bay in a chance meeting with Senator Christopher “Bong” Go during a visit to the Senate Building on Tuesday, May 7.

A Political Science student from the University of the East in Manila City, Krystelle shared with the Senator how the “Malasakit Center Program” supported her family through a very heart-breaking period in their lives.

Krystelle’s father, Jimbo, was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

“Natulungan po ng Malasakit (Center) ‘yung papa ko kasi nagkasakit po siya ng brain tumor. Tapos nung panahon po na ‘yun, sobrang hirap po pagdating sa finances. Pero sobrang thankful po ako kasi natulungan kami ng Malasakit,” she recalled.

“Kasi po, nung time po na ‘yun, nasa PhP1 million po ‘yung (kailangan n’ya)… Ganun po kalaking halaga… hindi alam ng mama ko kung saan po siya kukuha ng pera,” Krystelle added while holding back her tears.

Thanks to the support from the Malasakit Centers, her father is now on the path to recovery.

“Pero nagpapasalamat po ako sa Malasakit, kay Senator Bong Go po. Salamat po kasi natulungan niyo po ‘yung papa ko na ngayon po nakaka-survive na po siya at nagpapagaling na po,” she said.

Following Krystelle’s story, fellow student Jaymes Mamorno also expressed his deep gratitude towards the Malasakit Centers for their invaluable assistance during his mother’s severe health crisis.

“‘Yung nanay ko po kasi, may cancer, Stage IV breast cancer. Kailangan niya mag-chemo. Sa Malasakit Center po kami ni-refer ng mga LGU, at doon ko na-witness na may gobyerno,” Jaymes said.

“Senator Bong Go, maraming salamat po dahil natulungan niyo po ang aking ina sa pagki-chemo,” Jaymes shared, highlighting the life-saving impact of the program.

Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops that 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.

To date, 164 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The Department of Health reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than ten million Filipinos.

Go also principally sponsored and is one of the authors of RA 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act. The law mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers within existing DOH regional hospitals.

During their uplifting encounter, Go imparted wisdom to the Political Science students and stressed the importance of prioritizing the nation’s interests, especially those of the underprivileged.

“Isa lang ang maipapayo ko sa inyo. Unahin parati ang interes ng bayan, interest ng mga mahihirap nating kababayan,” Go reminded the students.

Go also urged them to always appreciate their parents’ sacrifices, emphasizing the hard work parents undertake to secure a better future for their children.

“Of course, pasalamatan niyo rin mga magulang niyo. Kaming mga magulang, nagpapakamatay kaming magtrabaho para sa inyo… Kayo ang kinabukasan ng bayan,” he said.

Highlighting his role as the chairman of the Committee on Sports, Go also encouraged the students to engage in sports activities to steer clear of drugs and maintain good health.

“Kung mayroon kayong mga sports program, kung kailangan niyo ng tulong… ini-engganyo ko talaga ang mga kabataan to get into sports, stay away from drugs to keep us healthy and fit,” remarked the senator.

Go was instrumental in several legislative measures to strengthen the country’s sports sector. Notably, he authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11470, which led to the establishment of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

A government-run learning facility aimed at honing the skills of young athletes, NAS is a pivotal institution that integrates a special sports curriculum with secondary education, developed in partnership with the Department of Education and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Moreover, Go is currently sponsoring his authored Senate Bill No. 2514, also known as the proposed Philippine National Games Act. This bill, also authored by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Majority Floor Leader Senator Joel Villanueva, seeks to institutionalize a comprehensive national sports program starting at the grassroots level.

The senator then reassured the students of his support in their educational and professional journeys, saying, “Basta, ako naman, bilang inyong Kuya Bong Go, tawagin niyo lang akong ‘kuya’. Anytime, kapag mayroong problema ang mga magulang niyo, sa hospital, o anong maitutulong ko, bukas ang aking opisina sa inyong lahat.”

“Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit, patuloy akong 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.