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Russel Nacog-ang Guadilla

Josh Mercado

<p>As food and transportation become too expensive for ordinary Filipinos, Russel Nacog-ang Guadilla, a doctor who holds clinic along JP Rizal Extension in Taguig City, is keeping his consultation fee at P400, aiming to make healthcare more within reach for his patients.</p><p>In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News, Guadilla, who became emotional recounting his experiences with struggling patients, explained why he does not see the need to raise the cost of his medical services.</p><p>“For me, healthcare should be a basic right. Even as a doctor, there are moments when I ask myself, ‘What if ako naman ang magkasakit? Mauubos ba lahat ng pinagtrabahuhan ko?’ If I have that kind of concern, what more for those earning less? Many patients delay consultation not because they do not value their health, but because they are afraid of the cost,” he told ABS-CBN News.</p><p>“I consider myself blessed, and for me, that is already enough. I am fortunate that I do not rely solely on my clinic income, so I do not feel pressured to charge high fees to my patients,” he added.</p><p>Neighbors describe Guadilla as a “hero” for his work, as he explained why he has stayed committed to his practice despite economic challenges.</p><p>“Malapit sa puso ko ang mga komunidad sa ‘Embo’ barangays — na dating Makati pero ngayon ay nasa Taguig na. And that was where real patient care was first experienced, where lessons were not just found in books but in people,” he said.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776385657771image1.jpeg" style="width:655px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-dragging"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Having a compassion for people, he continued, “I think it becomes real the moment you face your patients. It is no longer just an idea, it becomes something you feel. When someone sits in front of me, I do not just see a case. I see someone’s parent, someone’s child, someone important to another person. Naiisip ko lagi, ‘Paano kung pamilya ko ito.’”</p><p>“That perspective naturally shifts everything. Care comes first before profit. And over time, you realize that medicine is not just about diagnosing or prescribing. It is about listening, understanding, and sometimes simply being present for someone who is worried, tired, or afraid,” he added.</p><p>While patients see him as their star doctor, he said he draws inspiration from them every day – those who earn less but are always grateful.</p><p>“In clinic, you begin to realize that coming in for a consultation is not always simple. For some, it already means sacrificing something. I have encountered mothers who had to use their pambayad sana ng kuryente, and others who had to borrow money from a friend just to get a medical certificate so they could return to work,” he told ABS-CBN News. </p><p>“‘Yung iba, kulang pa ang dala, pero pinilit pa ring magpatingin. Those experiences change how you see every patient. You begin to understand that behind every consultation is a decision, sometimes even a hardship,” added the Taguig-based doctor who completed medical school in January 2023, followed by a postgraduate internship at Ospital ng Makati in 2024.</p><p>Expressing how gratitude always touches him, he went on, “Sometimes, they bring small tokens of gratitude. May nagbigay pa ng buhay na manok. Simple, but very heartfelt. Those moments remind me that trust is something you earn, and something you should always take care of.”</p><p>Looking back on his path, the physician said he would silently pray that if he ever became a doctor, he would serve those in need. “My humble clinic opened its doors in March 2025, but the idea started long before that. Even during medical school, there was already a quiet prayer, a promise to give back someday. Parang sinasabi ko sa sarili ko at kay Lord na kung papalarin akong matapos ang landas na ito, if He blessed me to become a doctor, I would serve as much as I can, especially those who need it most.”</p><p>“The clinic itself started as a very small space, simple and modest. But I knew I had to start somewhere. What mattered was that there was a place patients could go, a door they could knock on when they needed help,” he added.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776385632853image0.jpeg" style="width:655px;display:block" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Affordable healthcare</strong></div><p>While he is devoted to providing affordable medical services, Guadilla is concerned about the Philippines&#x27; healthcare system and has appealed to the government for greater accessibility.</p><p>“Masakit makita ang realidad ng estado ng healthcare sa bansa. It has been the same since I was a student, and even now that I am already practicing, ganoon pa rin ang sitwasyon for many Filipinos,” the occupational health physician told ABS-CBN News.</p><p>“Healthcare is a right. It should be accessible, reliable, and truly felt by every Filipino, regardless of status in life. It should not reach a point where people have to rely on guarantee letters, political assistance, or personal connections just to receive proper care. Hindi dapat nililimos ang healthcare. It should be something the system consistently provides with dignity,” he added. </p><p>Sharing potential solutions based on his years of practice, he went on, “We already have policies like Universal Health Care, but strengthening its implementation is key. UHC should not just exist on paper. It should be experienced by patients in real life, from accessible consultations to affordable diagnostics and medications. At the same time, we need to invest in our healthcare workers. The Philippines produces excellent doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, yet many are forced to leave because of better opportunities abroad.”</p><p>He then emphasized, “Without proper support, compensation, and working conditions, the system cannot sustain itself. I also believe that healthcare needs stronger representation in leadership. Decisions about health should involve people who truly understand the realities on the ground. We need competent leaders and policymakers who will prioritize healthcare not just as a program, but as a fundamental responsibility.”</p><p>“Because, at the end of the day, a strong healthcare system reflects how much a country values its people. And every Filipino deserves to feel that they are taken care of,” added the advocate.</p><p>As he continues to push for affordable healthcare for all Filipinos, Guadilla shared that seeing struggling mothers, tricycle drivers, vendors, construction workers, and low-income patients at his clinic taught him that there&#x27;s more to life than having a professional title — it&#x27;s how one makes people feel.</p>

<p>A doctor in Taguig known for charging P400 per consultation is advocating for more accessible healthcare, pointing to the everyday financial struggles that keep patients from seeking care.</p>

A doctor in Taguig known for charging P400 per consultation is advocating for more accessible healthcare, pointing to the everyday financial struggles that keep patients from seeking care.

Viral doctor offering P400 consultations calls for more accessible healthcare

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Viral doctor offering P400 consultations calls for more accessible healthcare

Josh Mercado

Published April 17, 2026 12:51 PM PHT

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