As part of his continued advocacy for accessible healthcare and community well-being, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, has once again reached out to Filipinos in need through his signature feeding initiative, ‘Palugaw ni Mr. Malasakit.’
From February 1 to 6, the program was extended to hospitals nationwide, providing warmth and nourishment to patients, their families, and medical frontliners who remain steadfast in their service to the nation. More than just a bowl of rice porridge, the initiative embodies the senator’s commitment to public service—offering compassion, comfort, solidarity, and hope to those facing health challenges.
Hospitals across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao benefited from the initiative. Among them were the Navotas City Hospital; Tondo Medical Center and San Lazaro Hospital, both in Manila City; Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina City; Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan City; Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center and Philippine Children’s Medical Center, all in Quezon City; as well as in San Lorenzo Ruiz Women’s Hospital and Ospital ng Malabon — both in Malabon city.
In other parts of Luzon, the program reached Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center in Angeles City and Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Hospital in Guagua, both in Pampanga; Jose B. Lingad Memorial Hospital and the OFW Hospital, both in San Fernando City, Pampanga; Margarito Duavit Memorial Hospital in Binangonan and Cainta Municipal Hospital, both in Rizal; Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City, and Conrado Estrella Medical and Trauma Center in Rosales, both Pangasinan; Baguio General Hospital in Baguio City and Benguet General Hospital in La Trinidad, both in Benguet; and Kalinga Provincial Hospital in Tabuk City, Kalinga; and Bontoc General Hospital in Bontoc, Mt. Province.
In Visayas, patients and frontliners in hospitals such as the Leyte Provincial Hospital in Palo, Leyte; Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City, and Western Visayas Sanitarium in Santa Barbara, both in Iloilo also experienced the warmth of this initiative.
Meanwhile, in Mindanao, feeding initiatives were conducted in the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City; Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City; Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital in Montevista, Davao de Oro; Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital in Iligan City; Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City; Northern Mindanao Medical Center and J.R Borja Memorial Hospital, both in Cagayan de Oro City; North Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Kidapawan City; and Bukidnon Provincial Hospital in Maramag, Bukidnon.
Senator Go highlighted that this initiative aligns with his broader mission of ensuring holistic healthcare for all Filipinos. “Healthcare is not just about treatment—it’s about showing compassion, providing emotional support, and making people feel that they are not alone in their struggles,” Go emphasized.
The senator’s healthcare advocacy is further reinforced by his landmark legislation, Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act, which streamlines medical assistance programs through Malasakit Centers nationwide. These centers have helped ease the burden of hospital expenses for millions of Filipinos, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder access to medical care.
The Malasakit Centers Act was principally authored and sponsored by Senator Go in 2019. To date, it has benefitted over 15 million Filipinos with 166 Malasakit Centers operational nationwide.
“Patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa abot ng aking makakaya. Ang malasakit ay dapat maramdaman ng bawat Pilipino,” said Go, who has earned the moniker ‘Mr. Malasakit’ for his tireless service to the people.
“Bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” Go added.
