Senator Bong Go reaffirmed his dedication to improving access to essential healthcare services as he conducted a site inspection for the Super Health Center in Bantay, Ilocos Sur.
In his speech, Go emphasized the significance of the Super Health Center initiative.
The legislator highlighted the need to bring medical services closer to the people, particularly in municipalities that lack adequate health facilities and in far-flung communities.
“Ang Super Health Center po ay proyekto po ‘yan ng Department of Health, itu-turn over po ‘yan sa LGU. Isinulong ko po ‘yan noong 2021 noong panahon ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte,” the lawmaker said.
“Ilapit natin ang serbisyong medikal sa ating mga mahihirap na kababayan. Huwag natin sila pabayaan. Kaya patuloy kong isusulong ang pagpaparami ng Super Health Centers sa bansa,” the senator added.
According to him, these Super Health Centers can also help decongest hospitals since residents can already avail of basic medical services.
“Sa kakaikot ko sa buong Pilipinas, napakarami pong munisipyo ang walang sapat na health facility. Yung iba nating kababayan bumabyahe pa ng napakalayo para magpagamot. Yung mga buntis paminsan nanganganak nalang sa jeep sa layo ng byahe,” Go explained.
He further emphasized the importance of the Super Health Center by giving an example of how it would benefit the community. He mentioned that pregnant women would no longer have to travel long distances to give birth but could do so in the local center, which would be a significant convenience.
“Mayroon pong itatayong 307 na Super Health Center sa taong 2022 at 322 na Super Health Center sa taong 2023 sa buong Pilipinas.”
“Ito pong Super Health Center, mayroon pong itatayong 307 na Super Health Center sa taong 2022 at 322 na Super Health Center sa taong 2023 sa buong Pilipinas, kasama na po ang apat dito sa probinsya ng Ilocos Sur,” Go added.
Services offered in Super Health Centers include database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and 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.
The Department of Health, being the lead implementing agency, determines the strategic locations for these centers. Other Super Health Centers in Ilocos Sur will be established in Candon City, Sta. Maria, and Sigay.
Meanwhile, highlighting his support for law enforcement agencies, Go expressed his appreciation for the police and firefighters, noting the significant role they play in maintaining peace and order.
“Dinoble po namin ni (dating) Pangulong Duterte ang sahod ng ating mga bumbero at militar, ang ating mga pulis, uniformed personnel, bilang pagkilala sa kanilang kontribusyon sa lipunan. At hindi po magiging successful ang kampanya na labanan ang iligal na droga at kriminalidad kung hindi po sa sakripisyo ng ating kapulisan… Basta ako, full support ako palagi sa inyo,” he assured.
During his speech, Go also discussed the Malasakit Centers program, which aims to more conveniently provide medical assistance to particularly poor and indigent patients in need.
He mentioned that there are 158 Malasakit Centers across the country ready to help those requiring medical and financial assistance.
“Mayroon po kayong Malasakit Center dito po sa Ilocos Sur Provincial Hospital. At kung kailangan n’yo pong magpaopera sa Manila, sa Heart Center, sabihan n’yo lang po kami. Tutulong po ako sa inyo pati pamasahe hanggang makabalik ang inyong pasyente. Tutulungan po namin,” Go pledged.
Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs 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.
As the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, he likewise highlighted his efforts for the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers. He mentioned that this measure, which he principally sponsored and is one of the authors, had already been passed by both houses of Congress and is awaiting the signature of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to be enacted into law.
Regional Specialty Centers would provide specialized medical services, such as heart surgeries, closer to the regions, reducing the need for patients to travel to Metro Manila.
“Magkakaroon tayo ng mga specialty center sa iba’t ibang rehiyon sa buong Pilipinas.”
“Halimbawa, heart. Hindi na po kailangan pumunta sa Maynila, pwede na pong operahan sa mga DOH regional hospital sa mga specialty center dahil napakalayo po minsan ng Maynila at ang iba doon walang sariling matirhan, ang gastos pa doon kapag naospital ka. Kaya po magkakaroon tayo ng mga specialty center sa iba’t ibang rehiyon sa buong Pilipinas,” Go explained.
During the activity, he expressed his gratitude to the local officials for their dedicated service to the constituents.
Go specifically acknowledged Governor Jerry Singson, Vice Governor Ryan Singson, Bantay Mayor Samuel Parilla, Vice Mayor Samuel G.F. Parilla II, and other officials, as well as former Gov. Chavit Singson, for their commitment to the welfare of their community.
On the same day, Go extended assistance to underprivileged residents in Vigan City.
He also conducted a visit to the Malasakit Center in Ilocos Sur Provincial Hospital, where he personally provided assistance to both patients and frontliners.
“Ako po’y isang probinsyano lamang na binigyan ninyo ng pagkakataon, katulad ni (dating) pangulong Duterte, na makapagserbisyo sa inyo. Hindi ko po sasayangin ang pagkakataon. Magtatrabaho po ako sa mga Pilipino sa abot ng aking makakaya,” Go declared.
To help boost the delivery of public service in the province, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, has also supported the road improvements in Magsingal and Narvacan; acquisition of medical equipment for public health facilities in Cervantes, Magsingal, Narvacan, Salcedo, Sinait and Sta. Lucia; acquisition of ambulance units in Burgos, Nagbukel, San Emilio and Tagudin; and construction of multipurpose buildings, halls and gyms in Bantay, Cabugao, Santa, Sigay and Sugpon.
