Senator Bong Go, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, proudly shared the landmark Republic Act No. 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which he principally sponsored, was already signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on 24 August.

This new legislation marks a significant stride towards bringing advanced medical care closer to Filipinos, particularly those residing in underserved rural areas, Go said in an interview with DZRH's "Balansyado" on Tuesday, 29 August.

The law mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers within existing Department of Health regional hospitals. It stands as a testament to the commitment of the government to uplift the nation's health infrastructure.

Go, an advocate for improved healthcare services highlighted the importance of the law and emphasized how it aligns with his priority measures to fortify the health sector and address the longstanding challenges faced by many Filipinos in accessing specialized medical treatment.

This approach, according to Go, aims to minimize the burden on patients who would otherwise need to travel long distances, often at great expense, to access specialized care in metropolitan centers.

With these regional specialty centers strategically placed, Filipinos in remote provinces will have better access to services such as cardiac care, cancer treatment, neurosurgery, and other specialized medical interventions, the senator added.

The legislation is an integral part of the health-related legislative agenda of the Marcos administration, as outlined in the Philippine Development Plan 2023 to 2028.

Considering the evolving landscape of healthcare reform, the Regional Specialty Centers Act assumes a crucial role by addressing the critical issue of specialized medical care.

"Isa po ito sa paraan na ilapit natin ang serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan. Ilapit natin ang serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayang mahihirap na walang matakbuhan kung hindi ang mga government hospitals… Pero para sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan napakaimportante po nito dahil iyan po ang kanilang lalapitan po talaga, itong mga government hospitals natin. The more we should support it, the more na mag-invest po tayo sa ating healthcare system," Go said.

"Sabi ko nga pera n'yo naman 'yan, pera ng tao 'yan, ilapit po natin 'yan. Huwag po natin silang pahirapan. Marami po sa mga kababayan natin sa iba't ibang sulok ng Pilipinas na wala silang sariling specialty center o mga ospital sa lugar nila na may kakayahan na mag-opera sa puso. Ang hirap pong magkasakit, ang hirap pong magpaopera, bawat araw, bawat minuto ay napakahalaga po. Kaya importante na mailapit natin ang serbisyong medikal mula gobyerno sa mga taong nangangailangan nito," he stressed.