Senator Bong Go returned to Iloilo recently to lead the inauguration of a Super Health Center in the town of Pavia—one of 27 facilities already funded across the province as part of his health reforms crusade to bring public medical services closer to Filipinos particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Speaking before a crowd of residents and local officials, Go began by recalling his own Visayan roots and affinity for Iloilo, weaving humor with heartfelt appeals for better public health access.
“Hindi po ako pulitiko. Hindi n’yo ako maririnig na mangangako ng kung anu-ano,” the legislator told the crowd. “Ang sa akin lang po, gawin ang trabaho—at bilang senador, trabaho kong tiyakin na hindi kayo matatakot magpa-ospital dahil sa gastos.”
The new Super Health Center is expected to offer primary care services such as consultation, early disease detection, minor procedures, and diagnostic care—helping decongest major hospitals while making basic health services more geographically accessible.
Free consultations will be administered by municipal health offices, local government units, and PhilHealth through its Konsulta program.
“Patuloy po akong tutulong sa pagpaparami ng Super Health Centers sa bansa sa abot po ng aking makakaya para mas mailapit ang serbisyo medikal sa mga Pilipino,” the lawmaker said.
This initiative is the result of coordinated efforts by Go, fellow lawmakers, the Department of Health (DOH) under Secretary Ted Herbosa, and local government leaders, which led to allocated funding for over 700 Super Health Centers nationwide.
He also recognized the efforts of local officials, including Congressman Michael Gorriceta; Doc Kathy Gorriceta; Mayor Luigi Gorriceta; Vice Mayor Edsel “Bibo” Gerochi; Councilors JP Peñol, Ariel Gerada, Rhia Sotomil, and Roy Gorriceta Sr.; former SK Municipal Federation President Doc Kervin Matthew Zaldarriaga; Vice Mayor Toto Gustilo of Calinog; and Councilor Johnny Young of Iloilo City, who were present at the event.
Further reinforcing his commitment to accessible healthcare, Go urged residents to take advantage of the Malasakit Centers now operational in Iloilo. These are located in the Western Visayas Medical Center and Western Visayas State University Medical Center in Iloilo City; the Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo; and the Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital in Santa Barbara.
“Kung may pasyente po kayong hindi kayang bayaran ang operasyon o maintenance meds, lapitan n’yo lang po ang Malasakit Center.”
“Kung may pasyente po kayong hindi kayang bayaran ang operasyon o maintenance meds, lapitan n’yo lang po ang Malasakit Center,” he said. “At kung kailangan pa ng tulong, lapit lang po kayo sa amin. Ako na po ang bahala pati pamasahe pauwi.”
These Malasakit Centers serve as one-stop shops for poor and indigent patients, streamlining medical assistance from various government agencies to help reduce hospital expenses. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the program nationwide.
To date, 167 Malasakit Centers are fully operational, with the DOH reporting over 17 million Filipinos having already benefited from the initiative.
“Basta alam kong may pasyente pa ring natatakot magpagamot dahil walang pera, tuloy ang laban natin para ilapit ang serbisyong medikal sa inyo.”
“Hindi po ako titigil. Basta alam kong may pasyente pa ring natatakot magpagamot dahil walang pera, tuloy ang laban natin para ilapit ang serbisyong medikal sa inyo,” Go underscored—earning him the moniker Mr. Malasakit for his compassion-driven approach to public service.
Beyond health centers, he also authored and sponsored several key laws aimed at upgrading the region’s healthcare infrastructure. Among them is RA 11496, which increased the bed capacity of the Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, from 425 to 700 beds—facilitating expanded services, additional personnel, and reduced congestion in one of the region’s main government hospitals.
Go likewise served as the principal sponsor of RA 11723, converting the Western Visayas Sanitarium in Santa Barbara into a general hospital now known as the Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital. This upgrade allows the facility to offer a broader array of medical services, especially for residents dealing with chronic and infectious diseases.
In addition, he sponsored RA 11891, which paved the way for the establishment of the Iloilo City Hospital—expected to ease pressure on existing medical centers and improve local access to essential health services.
“Hinding-hindi ko po sasayangin ‘yung pagkakataong ibinigay n’yo po sa akin. Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino. At iyan po ang pwede kong i-alay sa inyo, ang aking bisyo sa pagseserbisyo,” Go concluded.
