Senator Bong Go continues to prove that consistency in small, heartfelt acts can make just as powerful an impact.
From September 1 to 6, Go’s office once again mobilized the “Palugaw ni Mr. Malasakit” initiative—a program that quietly but meaningfully supports Filipinos who find themselves in some of the most stressful moments of their lives: inside hospitals.
This latest wave of the feeding program reached a wide geographic scope, covering hospitals across Metro Manila, Luzon, and Mindanao.
In Metro Manila, the initiative reached patients, watchers, and frontliners in Novaliches District Hospital; Las Piñas General Hospital; and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City.
In Luzon, beneficiaries included Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte, Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Santa Maria, and Joni Villanueva General Hospital in Bocaue—all in Bulacan; Aurora Memorial Hospital in Baler, Aurora; Cainta Municipal Hospital and Margarito Duavit Hospital in Binangonan, Rizal; Southern Tagalog Regional Hospital in Bacoor City, Cavite; and San Pablo General Hospital in Laguna.
Meanwhile, the initiative’s reach extended to Mindanao as well, with meals distributed at Lianga District Hospital and Bislig District Hospital in Surigao del Sur; Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital in General Santos City; Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital in Digos City; and Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City.
“These meals served to alleviate not just physical hunger but also the emotional toll of caregiving, waiting, and healing.”
These hospitals are among those equipped with Malasakit Centers that consolidate government medical assistance into one convenient location. The presence of these centers reinforces the idea that healthcare should be accessible, streamlined, and compassionate. Furthermore, these meals served to alleviate not just physical hunger but also the emotional toll of caregiving, waiting, and healing.
As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, the veteran legislator is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
“The program has provided aid to over 17 million Filipinos.”
Currently, 167 Malasakit Centers operate nationwide, assisting patients with their medical expenses. According to the Department of Health, the program has provided aid to over 17 million Filipinos.
The seasoned lawmaker emphasizes that while feeding initiatives like Palugaw may seem small, their consistent implementation serves a larger purpose.
“Hindi kailangang malaki ang gawin para makatulong. Minsan, ang paulit-ulit na malasakit ay sapat na para makuha ang tiwala ng tao,” the senator said.
More than a relief effort, Palugaw ni Mr. Malasakit has become part of a broader campaign to humanize public service—where people feel seen, cared for, and supported in their most vulnerable moments.
“Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit na ang tanging bisyo ay magserbisyo, uunahin ko palagi ang kapakanan at buhay ng aking kapwa Pilipino. Minsan lang tayong dadaan sa mundong ito. Kaya anumang kabutihan at tulong ang puwede nating ibigay sa kapwa ay gawin na natin ngayon,” Go concluded.
