SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go has once again showcased his firm commitment to public service by focusing his holiday mission on providing meals to underprivileged Filipinos.
As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go aims to ensure that the Christmas season becomes a time of relief and comfort for those in need, highlighting that health and wellness extend far beyond hospital walls.
With his continued advocacy for holistic care, the senator has strengthened feeding initiatives, especially in hospitals that house Malasakit Centers. The Malasakit Centers program, which he principally authored and sponsored through Republic Act No. 11463, have become vital in providing medical assistance to indigent Filipinos.
Recognizing the hard reality faced by many Filipino families, particularly during the holidays, Senator Go emphasized the importance of addressing both medical and daily necessities. “Malasakit is about easing burdens wherever they may lie. A warm meal, especially during Christmas, can bring comfort to families facing challenging times,” he shared.
Through collaborative efforts, Go and his Malasakit Team have rolled out feeding programs in public hospitals across the nation from December 1 to 4. These initiatives aim to not only nourish patients and their families but also reinforce the senator’s message of care and compassion.
In Luzon, meals were distributed in multiple hospitals, including Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital and Valenzuela Medical Center in Valenzuela City; San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital and Ospital ng Malabon, both in Malabon City; Navotas City Hospital in Navotas City; Las Piñas General Hospital; Ospital ng Parañaque; East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City; Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan City; Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina City; Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City, and Conrado F. Estrella Regional Medical and Trauma Center in Rosales, both in Pangasinan; Ilocos Sur Provincial Hospital Gabriela Silang in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; Talavera General Hospital in Nueva Ecija; and in Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, San Fernando City, La Union.
Feeding programs also reached hospitals in Visayas, such as Leyte Provincial Hospital in Palo, Leyte; Northern Samar Provincial Hospital in Catarman, Northern Samar; and Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.
Meanwhile, support was extended in Mindanao, including Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City, Davao del Norte; Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital in Montevista, Davao de Oro; Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital in Digos City, Davao del Sur; and Davao Occidental General Hospital in Malita, Davao Occidental.
The Malasakit Team of Senator Go also catered to Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City, Siargao Island Medical Center in Dapa, both in Surigao del Norte; Bislig District Hospital in Bislig City, Lianga District Hospital in Lianga, and Adella Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.
Furthermore, Butuan Medical Center in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte; Democrito O. Plaza Memorial Hospital in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur; Maramag Provincial Hospital in Maramag, Bukidnon; Mayor Hilarion Ramiro Sr. Medical Center in Ozamiz City, and Doña Maria Tan Memorial Hospital in Tangub City, both in Misamis Occidental; Kapatagan Provincial Hospital in Kapatagan, and Gregorio Lluch Memorial Hospital in Iligan City, both in Lanao del Norte; and Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, also benefitted from the feeding program.
Senator Go emphasized that these feeding initiatives are part of his larger mission to provide holistic care to all Filipinos. “This Christmas season, I want every Filipino, especially those in hospitals and vulnerable communities, to feel the spirit of malasakit. Ang importante po palagi sakin ay may laman ang tiyan ng ating mga kababayang Pilipino,” he said.
For Senator Go, the Christmas season is an opportunity to reinforce his commitment to public service. His feeding initiatives, coupled with the continuous operation of over 166 Malasakit Centers nationwide, help ensure that no Filipino is left behind.
- “Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit, hindi lang ito tungkol sa pagbibigay ng tulong. Ito ay tungkol sa pagbibigay ng pag-asa at malasakit sa ating mga kababayan,” he said. “Patuloy tayong magtutulungan, lalo na sa panahon ng Pasko, upang masiguro na ang bawat Pilipino ay nararamdaman ang pagmamahal at suporta ng gobyerno.”
