Bong Go boosts healthcare, infrastructure development in communities of Lapu-Lapu City

Senator Bong Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, congratulated the local government unit of Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu for their 14 newly acquired multipurpose vehicles which he advocated for to be funded in the past years.

These will be used as ambulances and rescue vehicles to serve the healthcare needs of the city, especially in remote and island barangays.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography has consistently supported funding for similar healthcare initiatives and has recognized that a reliable health system is the foundation of any thriving community.

According to Go, the acquisition of these multipurpose vehicles is a testament to the LGU's commitment to the welfare of its constituents. He further emphasized that investments in these areas would not only benefit Lapu-Lapu City but would have a positive ripple effect across the entire province.

Go stressed the importance of focusing on healthcare and infrastructure development in local communities as fundamental building blocks for progress.

In the past years, Go has consistently advocated for various infrastructure development initiatives in Cebu such as the construction of multipurpose buildings in Barili, Cordova, Ginatilan, Pilar, Tabogon and Talisay City; improvement of existing roads in Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Asturias, Balamban, Boljoon, Borbon, Carmen, Madrilejos, Malabuyoc, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Pinamungajan, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Carcar City and Naga City; improvement of flood mitigation structures in Catmon and Tuburan; installation of street lights in Asturias, Compostela and Daanbantayan; and acquisition of ambulance units for Madridejos, Samboan and Naga City.

In a bid to bolster the nation's healthcare infrastructure, Go has been actively championing the creation of Super Health Centers across the country. These Super Health Centers are envisioned by the senator as the key to bringing government services closer to Filipinos and ensuring convenient access to basic health services.

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

In Cebu, DOH has identified the cities of Bogo, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue; and the towns of Borbon, Cordova, Moalboal, Samboan, and San Francisco as locations for the Super Health Centers in 2022. This year, more Super Health Centers will be established in the cities of Carcar, Cebu, Talisay, and Toledo, and in the towns of Carmen, Consolacion, Liloan, Medellin, and San Nicolas. An additional Super Health Center will also be established in Danao City.

Go also emphasized the significance of Republic Act 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act. Go is a principal sponsor and one of the authors of the said law, which mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals.

Go continues to champion the cause of indigent Filipinos by supporting the continued operations of Malasakit Centers nationwide. The Malasakit Centers, initiated by Go in 2018, significantly simplifies the process of applying for medical assistance, reducing the stress and burden on patients and their families.

To date, there are 159 Malasakit Centers that have helped over seven million Filipinos nationwide, according to DOH. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

During his visit to Cebu last Friday, 6 October, Go attended the Barangay Health Workers Summit in Cebu City as a guest of honor. Along with the BHW Partylist and the local government, they distributed assistance such as grocery packs to the BHWs there. Go then provided additional support for 2,253 beneficiaries affected by past fire incidents in Cebu City.

Go then led the ribbon-cutting ceremony and the opening of a new facility in Lapu-Lapu City Hospital, which is part of its new phase that he advocated for funding. He also attended the World Teacher's Day celebration in Lapu-Lapu City and provided aid to teachers present.

On 7 October, still in Cebu, Go distributed rice porridge to some patients and families at the Malasakit Center inside the Cebu City Medical Center and then provided aid to 72 families affected by a fire in Brgy. Tejero in Cebu City.