SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go said that he is expecting President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. to outline his legislative agenda with special focus on pandemic response and full and inclusive recovery during his first State of the Nation Address on July 25. Go, who serves as chair of the Senate Committee on Health, expressed his hope that President Marcos Jr. will give top priority to policies that will strengthen the country’s healthcare system, improve the nation’s ability to withstand natural disasters, and guarantee food security for Filipinos.
“Bilang senador, umaasa akong patuloy nating palalakasin ang ating healthcare system, may tiyak na supply ng murang pagkain, mas ligtas ang ating mga komunidad at mabilis ang magiging pagtugon sa mga sakuna at kalamidad, at mas maraming imprastraktura ang maitatayo upang mas maraming malikhang kabuhayan para sa mga Pilipino,” said Go.
To help in advancing the agenda of the new administration, Go said that he has introduced his proposed legislative measures in the 19th Congress that will help improve and expand access to public healthcare services.
“Bilang pagtugon sa panawagan ng bagong administrasyon, nagsumite ako ng mga panukalang mas lalong magpapalakas at mapapalapit sa tao ang serbisyong kailangan nila lalo na pagdating sa kalusugan,” said Go.
Among the bills filed by Go are Senate Bill No. 198 which seeks to provide free annual medical check-up to all Filipinos and SBN 190 which provides a comprehensive dialysis benefit package to all PhilHealth members.
Go also introduced SBN 421, which establishes the Emergency Medical Services Systems Council to create national standards for the delivery of emergency medical services.
The senator likewise introduced SBN 425, which amends the Insurance Code to subject Health Maintenance Organizations to the provisions of the Code that are not explicitly stated under Executive Order No. 192, series of 2015.
This was done to enable stricter oversight of HMOs and thereby increase public safety.
Go has also refiled SBN 427, which will grant barangay health workers access to a monthly honorarium of PhP3,000, other allowances, benefits, and privileges, as well as tenure security, in an effort to advance the welfare of the nation’s healthcare workers. The senator likewise reintroduced SBN 191, or the Advanced Nursing Education Bill, to establish a foundational nursing education program that will give nursing students the skills they need to practice safe, high-quality nursing at the entry level.
Go also refiled SBN 195, creating the Center for Disease Control and Prevention; and SBN 196, creating the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP).
The senator has also reintroduced SBN 188 which aims to establish a Department of Disaster Resilience.
The said measure seeks to create a highly specialized agency that will be tasked with ensuring adaptive, disaster-resilient and safe communities. “Upang maging mas matatag ang bansa laban sa sakuna, muli kong isinumite ang Disaster Resilience Bill na naglalayong magtatag ng Department of Disaster Resilience na isang ahensya na tututok kapag may mga sakuna at iba pang emergency,” said Go.
Go also refiled SBN 193 mandating the establishment of an evacuation center in every city, province and municipality throughout the country which shall provide basic needs and assistance to all evacuees. Meanwhile, SBN 192 seeks to expand access to affordable housing and help families displaced by disasters by offering them subsidies so they can temporarily relocate during the interim process of construction.
“Kabilang din sa aking mga hangaring maging prayoridad ay ang Rental Housing Subsidy at pagkakaroon ng Mandatory Evacuation Center sa bawat lungsod, bayan at lalawigan,” he said.
Go went on to say that he expects President Marcos Jr., who also heads the Department of Agriculture, to discuss food security in the country and the development of the agricultural sector. Additionally, he hopes the President will tackle plans on continuing the Build, Build, Build initiative started by former president Rodrigo Duterte.
“Inaasahan ko na tatalakayin din ni Pangulong Marcos, Jr. ang seguridad sa pagkain, at ang pagpapalakas ng sektor ng agrikultura,” said Go.
“Umaasa din tayo na maipagpapatuloy ng bagong administrasyon ang mga proyektong nasa ilalim ng Build, Build, Build program ni dating pangulong Duterte, at mapapaigting pa lalo ang laban kontra korapsyon, kriminalidad at iligal na droga,” he added. Go then gave the assurance that he would continue to assist the government in maintaining the progress made by the preceding administration and filling in the gaps to enhance the provision of services to all Filipinos. “Kaisa ako sa hangaring ipagpatuloy ang mga tamang nagawa, punuan pa ang anumang pagkukulang at pagbutihin ang ating pagseserbisyo.”
