AMID apprehension over the alarming surge in viral contaminations, a senator cited the need to establish more public health facilities across the country.
At the site inspection of the Super Health Center undergoing construction in Arakan, Cotabato, health committee chair Senator Bong Go reiterated the importance of bolstering the country’s healthcare system, underscoring how the pandemic became an eye-opener for the government to invest more in the health sector.
“Ako, aking ipinu-push dahil ang aking adbokasiya as Committee Chair on Health sa Senado ay (protecting every Filipino’s) health. We must be prepared, the more we should invest in our healthcare system. Hindi natin alam kung anong pandemya pa ang darating sa atin, nabigla tayo. Sa totoo lang, ako nagulat rin noong nangyari sa atin ‘yon,” cited Go.
In this regard, Go was instrumental in pushing for the allocation of sufficient funds in the 2022 Health Facilities Enhancement Program for the construction of 307 Super Health Centers nationwide. “Ang Super Health Center po ay medium version of polyclinic and a bigger version of rural health unit. Mas maliit lang siya sa ospital para sa emergency cases – panganak, mga laboratory, x-ray, ambulatory surgical unit, pharmacy, isolation. Mag-treat tayo ng pasyente na hindi na sila kailangang tumakbo pa sa mga capital town ng probinsya,” Go explained.
“Maganda po itong Super Health Center. Maganda po ito dahil makakatulong kaagad sa mga kababayan nating tugunan ang kanilang mga emergency cases,” he added.
Aside from Arakan, Go also supported the construction of three more Super Health Centers in Banisilan, Libungan and Brgy. Kalaisan in Kidapawan City. After the Super Health Center site inspection, the senator proceeded to the Regional Evacuation Center where he personally led a relief operation for 500 indigent residents. He and his team handed out grocery packs, masks, vitamins, shirts and meals.
Meanwhile, the senator likewise provided cellular phones and watches to select individuals while others received shoes, bicycles, and balls for volleyball and basketball as part of Go’s advocacy to promote sports development in the grassroots. “Tuwing nagsasagawa ang aking tanggapan ng pamamahagi ng ayuda ay namimigay po ako ng bola para engganyuhin po sila na lumayo po sa iligal na droga. Isa po iyon sa paraan, isa sa paraan na ilayo ang ating mga kabataan sa iligal na droga,” cited Go.
“Ipagpatuloy natin ang kampanya na labanan ang iligal na droga sa pamamagitan ng pag-engganyo sa kanila sa larangan ng palakasan. Sports tayo. Get into sports, stay away from drugs,” he urged. The senator also offered to help those in need of hospital care as he encouraged them to seek the services of the Malasakit Center located at Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Kidapawan City. After witnessing the struggles of financially incapacitated Filipinos to get quality health services, Go initiated the Malasakit Centers program that was later institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which he principally authored and sponsored in the Senate.
“Ito pong Malasakit Center ay para po yan sa taumbayan. Basta po Pilipino ka, qualified ka po sa Malasakit Center. Isinulong ko po ito noon kahit hindi pa po ako senador dahil nakita ko po kung gaano kahirap para sa ating mga kababayan ang kumuha ng tulong mula sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno,” cited Go.
“Kaya naman po pinagsama-sama na natin ang apat na ahensya ng gobyerno — ang DSWD, PCSO, DOH at PhilHealth sa iisang kwarto para po hindi na po kailangan pumila ng ating mga kababayan at magsayang ng maraming oras at araw para lang makakuha ng tulong. Ilapit na po natin ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa ating mga poor and indigent patients,” he continued.
Following the relief operation, the senator briefly joined the celebration of Teachers’ Day at the municipal gymnasium as he honored the sacrifices of the country’s educators. Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, also earlier supported the construction of Maria Caridad Bridge, a slaughterhouse, a public market, and a multipurpose building to further improve the public services in the town.
Earlier that day, the senator visited Makilala town and joined in the celebration of its 68th Founding Anniversary and Sinab’badan Festival. Go and his team likewise provided relief to the town’s indigent residents.
