SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, has continued his feeding initiatives in hospitals and Malasakit Centers to address the broader needs of Filipino families, especially to support Typhoon Kristine victims.
Since the Malasakit Centers Act was enacted, principally authored and sponsored by Go, over 15 million Filipinos have been able to access vital medical aid for healthcare services. But Go emphasizes that healthcare doesn’t stop at treatment—it must also address daily needs like food, particularly for families affected by unexpected crises.
“In difficult times, ensuring families have meals can make all the difference. This is malasakit in action, providing for immediate needs so families can focus on recovery and healing,” he explained.
“Kasama sa pangangalaga ang kapanatagan ng kalooban na makakaraos ang pamilya sa araw-araw nang hindi nag-aalala kung saan magmumula ang susunod na pagkain, lalo na kung marami na silang napagdaanang sakuna,” he noted.
From October 25 to 30, Go’s Malasakit Team distributed meals in hospitals across the country, including areas affected by Typhoon Kristine. Families at facilities like the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina City; San Lazaro Hospital and Tondo Medical Center both in Manila City; Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City; Novaliches District Hospital in Quezon City; Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan City; and Navotas District Hospital in Navotas City.
In other parts of Luzon, there were also meals served at Quezon Medical Center in Lucena, and Maria Eleazar Estrella Hospital in Tagkawayan, both in Quezon; Antipolo City Hospital System Annex IV in Antipolo City, and Casimiro A. Ynares Memorial Hospital in Montalban, both in Rizal; and Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital in Daet, Camarines Norte.
Go’s Malasakit Team also provided meals at Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City and Palo Schistosomias Hospital in Palo, Leyte, which helped alleviate the burden of hunger for those already struggling with medical and financial challenges.
Through partnerships with local government units and private organizations, Go is pushing to sustain and expand these feeding initiatives so that more families can benefit, particularly those impacted by Typhoon Kristine.
“This effort is more than a temporary solution; it’s about making feeding programs a permanent part of our healthcare support system,” he added. “Together, we can help aspire that no Filipino, whether in the hospital or recovering from a calamity, faces hunger.”
Senator Go also underscored the importance of strengthening disaster resilience and recovery systems, highlighting his proposed Senate Bill No. 188, which advocates for the establishment of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR).
This proposed department, intended to operate at the Cabinet level, would adopt a comprehensive approach to disaster preparedness. According to Go, the DDR should prioritize three key areas: disaster risk reduction, preparedness, and responsive action, and the recovery phase should focus on restoring normalcy and rebuilding with improved resilience.
As a co-sponsor and one of the authors, Go underlined SBN 2451, known as the Ligtas Pinoy Centers bill, which passed its third reading in the Senate. This proposed legislation aims to establish permanent and fully equipped mandatory evacuation centers nationwide.
“Mga kababayan, minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung anumang kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa ay gawin na natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito. Iyan naman ang totoo,” he said.
“Patuloy kaming 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 who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.
