Bong Go advocates for healthcare access and PhilHealth reforms in Davao City

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go pushed for improved healthcare access and reforms in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) during the PDP National Campaign Coordination Meeting in Davao City on Thursday, 30 January.

Go emphasized the expansion of Malasakit Centers and the establishment of Super Health Centers to improve healthcare services for Filipinos. He called on the public to utilize Malasakit Centers, which help reduce hospital costs for impoverished patients. Go, the principal author of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, noted that 166 centers are now operational, assisting over 15 million Filipinos.

The senator also highlighted the importance of Super Health Centers, which offer a wide range of services, including maternity care, dental, laboratory tests, and X-rays. He shared an example of a remote community where the establishment of a Super Health Center has improved healthcare access, particularly for pregnant women who previously had to travel long distances.

Go also criticized PhilHealth for its failure to provide adequate coverage for contributors, citing a case in Camarines Norte where a provincial health officer's hospital bills, amounting to millions, were barely covered by the agency.

The senator has been vocal about his efforts to reform PhilHealth, urging the agency to improve its services and remove outdated policies such as the Single Period of Confinement (SPC) rule. He welcomed PhilHealth's recent introduction of new emergency packages that remove the 24-hour confinement requirement for coverage.

As the chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go vowed to continue pushing for reforms to ensure PhilHealth's policies are fair and beneficial to all Filipinos.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte, who attended the event, reiterated his support for Senator Go and other PDP candidates, stressing the importance of fair elections and a united party. Duterte also emphasized the significance of supporting Vice President Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the future success of the party.

Go concluded his speech by reaffirming his commitment to public service and gratitude for the support of former President Duterte.