Senator Bong Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, emphasized the significance of investing in health infrastructure during the inauguration of the Calatagan Super Health Center in Batangas on Thursday, 31 August.

Go stressed the need for a comprehensive approach that focuses on bolstering the nation's healthcare system. Through such efforts, the country can better address healthcare challenges and ensure the well-being of its citizens, especially at the grassroots level.

Super Health Centers are designed to focus on primary care, consultation, and early detection of diseases at the community level. This further strengthens the healthcare sector in the country, especially in grassroots communities.

Through collective efforts, sufficient funds have been allocated under the Department of Health for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023.

Go said the Super Health Centers would cater to the needs of underserved areas, particularly those lacking adequate healthcare infrastructure. By ensuring that every citizen has access to quality healthcare services, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status, significant strides can be made towards achieving universal healthcare coverage, Go said.

Go, who is an adopted son of CALABARZON with familial roots in Batangas and Davao, remains steadfast in his advocacy for improved healthcare services.

Under the 2022 national budget, other Super Health Centers in Batangas were funded in San Pascual, Agoncillo, Ibaan, Lipa City, Malvar, and Taysan, aside from the one in Calatagan. In 2023, more centers were identified to be established in the towns of San Juan, Tingloy, Lian, and San Jose. In addition, two more Super Health Centers were funded in Lipa City.

In line with his priority of protecting the well-being of Filipinos, Go offered to assist his fellow Batangueños with health issues and encouraged them to reach out to the Malasakit Centers at Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City and at Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery.

A brainchild of Go, the Malasakit Centers program is designed to help ensure that indigent patients have convenient access to medical assistance programs offered by partner agencies like DOH, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, PhilHealth, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Another priority highlighted by Go is the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers. President Marcos recently signed RA 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act. Go is a principal sponsor and one of the authors in the Senate of the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers within existing DOH regional hospitals. It stands as a testament to the commitment of the government to uplift the nation's health infrastructure.

He emphasized the importance of bringing specialized services, such as a heart center, to regional hospitals, alleviating the burden on patients who currently need to travel to Manila for critical procedures. The Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City will serve as the location for specialized centers in the province.

To boost economic progress in the province, Go supported various infrastructure projects, including the construction of multipurpose buildings and the improvement of farm-to-market roads. He also backed the acquisition of ambulance units and multipurpose vehicles in several towns and cities.

On the same day, Go also lauded the groundbreaking for the Super Health Center in Lian town in the province.