‘PALUGAW NI MR. MALASAKIT’ : BONG GO HOLDS FEEDING INITIATIVE AT MALASAKIT CENTER IN ANGELES CITY, PAMPANGA

In a dual effort to address immediate hunger relief and uplift the marginalized, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go organized a feeding initiative at the Malasakit Center in Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center (RLMMC) on Friday, November 15.

The event catered to patients, watchers, medical staff, and hospital personnel, showcasing the senator’s continuous efforts to support Filipinos in need.

The initiative coincided with Go’s visit to Barangay Malabanias, where he distributed aid to indigent residents of Angeles City. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go emphasized the significance of Malasakit Centers in providing accessible medical assistance and the complementary role of community feeding programs in promoting health and wellness.

“Hindi lang po ito tungkol sa pagkain, kundi pagpapakita ng malasakit at pagdadamayan sa ating mga kababayan na dumadaan sa hirap. Sa bawat lugaw na ating pinagsasaluhan, pinapalakas natin ang samahan ng bawat Pilipino,” Go stated.

Patients and staff were treated to a warm bowl of rice porridge from Go and his Malasakit team who also distributed essential items, including shirts and other forms of support. For the hospital staff, Go’s Malasakit Team also handed out special care packs as a token of gratitude for their unwavering service to their communities.

With 166 operational Malasakit Centers across the country — 93 in Luzon, 30 in Visayas, and 43 in Mindanao — Go highlighted their role in making healthcare more accessible. Central Luzon hosts 16 Malasakit Centers, with four located in Pampanga, including the one in Angeles City.

“Sa mga pasyente, lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center dahil para ‘to sa inyo. Kung may hospital bill kayo, nandiyan ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong para mabayaran ito,” said Go.

Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops aiming to support impoverished patients in covering their hospital costs and reducing it to the least possible amount. Go 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 Department of Health (DOH) reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than 15 million Filipinos.

Go also expressed gratitude to the medical team and officials of RLMMC, recognizing their dedication to serving the public. He acknowledged the leadership of Dr. Froilan A. Canlas, Chief of Hospital; Dr. John B. Mercado, Chief of Ancillary; Maria Fatima R. Cayanan, the Hospital Administrator; Philip Serrano, the Malasakit Center Head Social Worker; and Aida De Leon, the DOH medical assistance coordinator.

“Maraming salamat po sa inyong sipag at serbisyo. Dahil sa inyo, mas maraming kababayan natin ang nabibigyan ng malasakit at ginhawa,” Go remarked.

While the feeding initiative was ongoing, Go personally led the distribution of aid to indigent residents in Barangay Malabanias. Hundreds of beneficiaries received food packs and essential items, reaffirming the senator’s hands-on approach to serving the grassroots.

“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.