Senator Bong Go personally led his team on an ocular inspection of the Super Health Center in Pandi, Bulacan.
During the inspection, Go and his team also provided support to struggling residents to help them overcome challenges amid various crises encountered this year.
Advocated by the Department of Health and the legislator, the Super Health Center seeks to bolster the country’s healthcare system, particularly in far-flung areas.
As chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, the lawmaker has been consistent in pushing for the construction of these health facilities, underscoring that more Filipinos must be able to access quality healthcare services.
“Sa pamamagitan nitong Super Health Centers ay inilapit natin ang serbisyo medikal sa mga kababayan natin sa mga lugar na wala talagang malapit na ospital, o kulang ang rural health units. Inilalagay ito sa mga malalawak na lugar na malalayo sa mga regional o provincial (health facilities),” the senator explained during the inspection.
He supported the allocation of necessary funding under the Hospital Facilities Enhancement Program for the construction of 307 such centers nationwide this year and more for 2023.
“Magkakaroon po ng pitong Super Health Centers ngayong taong ito sa Bulacan at walo po sa susunod na taon.”
“‘Yan po ang priority ng ating Super Health Centers sa ngayon. Magkakaroon po ng pitong Super Health Centers ngayong taong ito sa Bulacan at walo po sa susunod na taon,” Go shared.
Super Health Centers will offer basic health services, including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy and ambulatory surgical unit.
Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation center and telemedicine, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients will be done.
Other Super Health Centers in the province will be strategically located in the cities of San Jose del Monte and Meycauayan and in the towns of Balagtas, Bulakan, San Miguel, and Guiguinto.
Next year, he is hopeful that more Super Health Centers will also be established in identified strategic areas nationwide such as in Angat, Baliuag, Marilao, Obando, Paombong, Plaridel, San Ildefonso, and San Rafael in Bulacan.
During the event, Go and his staff also distributed grocery packs, vitamins, masks, shirts and meals to 211 residents.
He also gave away shoes, bicycles, cellular phones, watches, fans, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select beneficiaries.
“Huwag ho kayong magpasalamat sa akin. Sa totoo lang po, ako po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan nyo po ako ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo po sa inyo,” Go said during the aid distribution.
“Hindi ko po ito sasayangin, magtatrabaho po ako para sa inyong lahat at magseserbisyo ako sa abot ng aking makakaya,” he added.
Moreover, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended financial aid to struggling residents in the town through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.
In line with his commitment to help those with health concerns, Go also encouraged the beneficiaries to reach out to his office or visit the nearby Malasakit Centers at Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos City and Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria.
The Malasakit Centers seek to make government medical assistance programs more accessible by bringing the relevant agencies, including the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, under one roof.
The Malasakit Centers program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate.
There are now 153 Malasakit Centers nationwide.
“Ang Malasakit Center po para talaga ‘yan sa mga mahihirap. It’s a one-stop shop nasa loob na ho ng hospital ‘yung apat na ahensya ng gobyerno – PhilHealth, PCSO, DOH, DSWD,” he explained.
In addition, Go mentioned that the new Joni Villanueva General Hospital in Bocaue, Bulacan, will also house a Malasakit Center by next year.
“Magkakaroon na rin po ng Malasakit Center doon sa Bocaue. So, sa susunod na taon magiging tatlo na po ang Malasakit Center dito po sa probinsya ng Bulacan.”
“Nagbukas nga po kami kanina ng Super Health Center at galing po ako sa Bocaue, ‘yung hospital po doon, itong Joni Villanueva (General) Hospital binuksan natin. Napondohan rin po natin iyon. Magkakaroon na rin po ng Malasakit Center doon sa Bocaue. So, sa susunod na taon magiging tatlo na po ang Malasakit Center dito po sa probinsya ng Bulacan,” he explained.
Apart from the assistance, Go also supported several initiatives to help in the province’s development.
These include the rehabilitation of the Bulacan State University Activity Center and construction of a multipurpose building in Malolos City, construction of drainages, provision of medical equipment for local hospitals, improvement of the Pandi District Hospital, concreting of a farm-to-market road in San Ildefonso and many more.
“Mayroon lang po akong habilin sa inyo. Sana’y maalala n’yo man lang ito kapag nagkita tayo: minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung anuman kabutihan o tulong pwede natin gawin sa atin kapwa ay gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” Go stressed.
“Ako po na inyong kuya Senador Bong Go, kasama po nila mayor, vice mayor, kapitan, konsehal at kagawad ay patuloy po kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil kami po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po yan sa Diyos,” he concluded.
Prior to the inspection and relief distribution, Go also attended the inauguration of the Joni Villanueva General Hospital in Bocaue, Bulacan together with Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva and DOH officials.
Go was instrumental in the passage of a hospital bill that would establish Joni Villanueva General Hospital in Bocaue which he sponsored in the Senate in the 18th Congress.
