Senator Christopher “Bong” Go led the inauguration of a new Super Health Center in Barangay Poblacion 3, San Jose, Batangas, on Monday, 16 December. Go, who traces his roots to Batangas through his Tesoro lineage, expressed gratitude to the community and reaffirmed his dedication to serving his fellow Batangueños. “Ako po ay Batangueño na Bisaya rin, iyan ang halong tapang at malasakit (I am both a Batangueño and a Bisaya — a combination of courage and compassion),” he shared, adding, “Kung ano man ang kabutihang mabibigay natin sa ating kapwa, gawin na natin ito ngayon (Whatever kindness we can give to others, let us do it now).”

The Super Health Center aims to bring essential healthcare services closer to the community, offering early disease detection, medical consultations, and basic healthcare to underserved areas. Senator Go emphasized the importance of such facilities in reducing hospital congestion by addressing minor health concerns at the grassroots level.

“Ang kagandahan nitong early disease detection ay magagamit ito sa pagbigay ng primary care at pagkonsulta. It will help decongest hospitals dahil pwede na pong gamutin dito (The advantage of early disease detection is that it can be used to provide primary care and consultations. It will help decongest hospitals because treatments can already be done here),” Go said.

The health center, equipped with modern medical tools and staffed by qualified healthcare professionals, is part of a national initiative spearheaded by Senator Go in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH) under Secretary Teodoro Herbosa. Over 700 Super Health Centers are set to be established nationwide, including 18 in Batangas, to make medical services more accessible.

Highlighting the center's role in the community, Go shared stories of pregnant women giving birth in vehicles due to the lack of nearby facilities. “Ngayon, inilapit natin ang serbisyong medikal sa ating mga kababayan sa pamamagitan ng mga Super Health Center (Now, we have brought medical services closer to our fellow citizens through the Super Health Centers),” he said.

During the event, Go’s Malasakit Team distributed grocery packs, snacks, shirts, and fans to 420 attendees, including health workers, senior citizens, and local leaders. He also encouraged residents to seek medical assistance from nearby Malasakit Centers, such as those in Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery and Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City.

Malasakit Centers, established through Republic Act No. 11463 authored by Go, serve as one-stop shops for government medical assistance programs and have benefitted over 15 million Filipinos since 2018.

“Sa Malasakit Centers, makakakuha kayo ng tulong pampagamot mula sa DSWD, DOH, PhilHealth, at PCSO. Siguraduhin natin na walang Pilipinong mapapabayaan (At the Malasakit Centers, you can receive medical assistance from the DSWD, DOH, PhilHealth, and PCSO. We need to ensure that no Filipino is neglected),” Go explained.