Watch: ‘Go Malasakit’ TV program features breast cancer patient

“Go Malasakit,” a public service program of Inquirer 990 TV, features success stories about the Malasakit Center, a flagship project of Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, which offers government health assistance service to people.

MANILA, Philippines — Imelda Esma of Bagangga, Davao Oriental, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer since 2014.

Esma said having cancer is not a walk in the park. It is also a battle of expensive medical treatment.

It was not easy for Esma to go on weekly chemotherapy for she did not have a job to pay for the expensive sessions.

Each therapy costs Esma about P30,000.

Aside from financial problem, Esma had to face a procedure that would weaken her immune system — and of course cause hair loss.

But Esma was able to learn that Go’s flagship program, Malasakit Center, which opened in Davao Oriental.

“Since 2014, sinagot na ng Malasakit Center ang mga gamot ko. Kaya malaki ang pasalamat ko kay President Duterte and Senator Bong Go,” Esma said.

Actually, the Malasakit Center was established only in 2018. The help that Esma was getting before that was from the office of then-Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

“Go Malasakit,” which is anchored by Assistant Secretary Jonji Gonzales and Chona Yu, airs every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The

Malasakit Center is a one-stop-shop that intends to simplify the process of giving medical assistance to the Filipinos confined in government hospitals.

Inquirer 990 TV is available on Beam channel digital terrestrial and channel 18 on ABS CBN digibox.

Viewers may call Inquirer 990 TV’s live hotline 519-1876 during the program for information. Social media audiences may also comment on INQUIRER.net’s Facebook live. /jpv