Welcoming year with fresh hopes
As the government builds more health facilities such as Super Health Centers all over the Philippines, we hope these will help Filipinos, especially in far-flung areas.
Daily TribuneAs the government builds more health facilities such as Super Health Centers all over the Philippines, we hope these will help Filipinos, especially in far-flung areas.
Another year has begun, and I hope we all have started our year right by resting and spending quality time with our loved ones. It is a great time to reflect and reset from all the hustle and bustle of the previous year and jumpstart a year with a positive mindset and competitive spirit. With this, I wish everyone a prosperous and joyous year ahead.
This year is significant in our collective journey to make a fuller and more inclusive recovery from the pandemic and other crises. Health, in addition to housing, food, and education, remains an area of our life as one nation that requires continued improvement. Cognizant of how poor health disrupts an ordinary family's few resources and limits one's ability to make gainful employment or livelihood, the government must continuously improve our healthcare system and bring various health and medical services and programs closer to our people. A healthier citizenry means a more robust economy and a stronger country.
As the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, we lobbied hard during last year's Senate budget deliberations for funding for more Super Health Centers nationwide. Under the 2024 national budget, 132 Super Health Centers were funded in addition to the 307 SHCs budgeted in 2022 and 322 in 2023. The government's budget belongs to and for the Filipino people, who should have access to the best possible care for their health.
Knowing how essential keeping a healthy citizenry is in the development of our country, I always envision improved medical infrastructure and services we could offer our fellow Filipinos. As the government builds more health facilities such as Super Health Centers all over the Philippines, we hope these will help Filipinos, especially in far-flung areas. This would lessen the number of patients coming in and out of the hospitals as SHCs already provide free consultations with the help of the municipal health offices, local government units, and the Philippine Insurance Corporation under their Konsulta program. These centers will also be vital in providing primary care and early disease detection.
By addressing various simpler health issues at the onset, we avoid more costly and life-threatening medical conditions later. Just take the case of simple hypertension. Failure to address it earlier may result to more serious cardiovascular diseases requiring more resources to treat.
In connection to this, as the principal sponsor and one of the authors of Republic Act No. 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, I am confident that these centers will provide specialized medical services for diseases of the heart, lungs, brain, spine, bone problems, mental health, etc. Because of more Regional Specialty Centers established outside Metro Manila, our fellow Filipinos do not have to travel to the metropolis where transportation, expensive food, and accommodation, like in Metro Manila, only add to the already heavy burden poor Filipinos bear.
Health requires physical activities and mental strength. As the Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, I also fought to increase funds appropriated to sports in the national budget to continuously support sports activities and programs, including the rehabilitation of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Philsports Complex, preparation and participation of athletes in international sports competitions, and logistics and support for the conduct of grassroots sports programs such as the Philippine National Games and Batang Pinoy.
I also pushed for establishing the National Academy of Sports in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac. NAS was established after former president Rodrigo Duterte signed the Republic Act 11470, which I authored and co-sponsored. This academy aims to give student-athletes academic scholarships with a sports curriculum to equip their skills in sports and mental toughness without sacrificing their regular schooling.
Both sports and health influence our lives, particularly our young people who hold the key to our future. Nonetheless, regardless of age, participating in sports and maintaining good health and fitness are always encouraged. Sports are essential in the nation-building and character-building of our young people. It provides a way for people to decompress, avoid vices, and develop discipline. Let us get into sports, and stay away from drugs to keep us healthy and fit.
Meanwhile, last January 3, our Malasakit Team visited and distributed food packs and financial assistance to 15 residents in Brgy. Calinan, and 42 residents in Brgy. Matina, both in Davao City, who were affected by the recent fire incidents.
We also supported and pushed for the construction of the Outpatient Department Building of Dr. Jorge P. Royeca City Hospital in General Santos City. Last January 4, the groundbreaking of the said project commenced, with Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao and other officials attending.
Last Saturday, January 5, my Malasakit team attended the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center in Brgy. Lun Padidu, Malapatan, Sarangani Province, with Mayor Salway Sumbo, Jr. Meanwhile, another team attended the inauguration and blessing of the Super Health Center in Brgy. Ampayon, Butuan City, with Acting Mayor Lawrence Lemuel Fortun present. I, along with the DOH, LGUs, and fellow legislators, support the continued construction of Super Health Centers to bring primary health services closer to the people.
As I have said many times before, as a servant of the people, I will do my best to continue serving our fellow Filipinos, particularly the poor, the hopeless, helpless, and those who have no one to turn to except the government, and let's help make life more comfortable for as many people as possible. Let us, then, welcome this new year with more vigor, more determination, and more compassion for one another.