Senator Christopher “Bong” Go continues his commitment to strengthening the healthcare system and bringing medical services closer to those in need as he joined the groundbreaking ceremony of the Super Health Center in the town of Romblon, Romblon on Thursday, March 16.
In his message, Go explained that these centers would be turned over by the Department of Health to the local government once completed, allowing them to improve and expand services based on the community's needs.
“Pwedeng i-improve pa at palawakin ang services dito. Pwede manganak diyan, dental at pagbakuna, at iba pang laboratory tests. Iyan ang Super Health Center, para talaga ‘yan sa mga mamamayan dito sa Romblon,” said Go.
Go's initiative of establishing Super Health Centers aims to make basic health services more accessible to Filipino patients especially in the countryside. These centers are equipped with database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit, among others.
Other available services include eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation center, and telemedicine, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients can be done.
By bringing these essential health services closer to their communities, Filipinos can easily access healthcare services, leading to improved health and well-being. As cited by Go, a healthy community is essential in having a more productive citizenry.
Go's support to building Super Health Centers has resulted in the allocation of sufficient funding for these centers. In 2022 alone, 307 Super Health Centers were funded through his initiative with the support of the DOH and other lawmakers. In this year's health budget, they also successfully pushed for the funding of 322 more Super Health Centers.
“Ilalagay po ito sa mga strategic areas kung saan po’y ilalapit natin ang serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan na hindi na ho sila kailangang mag-travel pa sa malalayong ospital,” said Go.
During the event, Go also acknowledged the collective efforts of the local government to support the initiative, led by Romblon Representative Eleandro Madrona, Governor Jose Riano, Vice Governor Armando Gutierrez, among others.
Apart from Romblon town, Go also supported the construction of more Super Health Centers in the province particularly in Calatrava, Magdiwang, San Andres, and San Jose.
Moreoved, Go offered to help residents with medical concerns as he advised them to seek the assistance of the Malasakit Center at the Romblon Provincial Hospital in Odiongan.
A brainchild of Go, the idea of the Malasakit Centers program started after he witnessed the struggles of financially incapacitated Filipinos to get quality health services. The program was later institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which he principally authored and sponsored in the Senate in 2019.
Celebrating its fifth year of providing assistance to poor and indigent patients, there are already 156 Malasakit Centers that have helped more than seven million Filipinos nationwide so far according to the DOH.
Go also reiterated his support for President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s call to establish more specialty centers outside Metro Manila. He added that the creation of these specialty health facilities is one of the optimal solutions to address the gaps in specialty healthcare across the country.
The establishment of specialty centers is among the health-related legislative agenda contained in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 signed by Marcos.
To further boost regional development and economic growth in Romblon, Go, who is also a Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the improvement and rehabilitation of the municipal park and plaza in Banton.
He also supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Ferrol, Romblon and Santa Maria; improvement of the municipal park in Banton; road improvements in Cajidiocan, Looc, Romblon, San Fernando and Sta. Fe; and acquisition of ambulance units in Sta. Maria.
“Mga kababayan, mayroon lang akong sasabihin sa inyo. Minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa, gawin na natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” Go reminded.
On the same day, Go participated in the founding and liberation anniversary celebration of Romblon, followed by distributing aid to indigent residents in the town. As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, he also inspected the 3-storey building and ambulance that were built and procured with his support the past years.
Later in the day, Go also conducted a monitoring activity at the Malasakit Center in Romblon Provincial Hospital in Odiongan.
