Senator Christopher “Bong” Go paid tribute to healthcare workers during the 90th Annual Convention and General Assembly of the Philippine Public Health Association Inc. (PPHA) held Thursday, 14 August, at The Pinnacle Hotel.

The event gathered hundreds of medical professionals and public health advocates nationwide to mark nine decades of the PPHA’s contribution to improving the country’s public health systems.

In his speech, Go credited frontliners for their sacrifices in recent public health crises.

“Nais kong pasalamatan ang ating mga medical professionals. Hindi po dapat kami ang pasalamatan. Ang dapat pasalamatan ngayon ay ang ating mga frontliners. Hindi natin mararating itong kinatatayuan natin kung hindi dahil sa inyo,” he said.

Go also acknowledged PPHA leaders, including President Dr. Marc Shane Adeva, National President for Luzon Director Arnold Alindada, Northern Mindanao Medical Center Chief Dr. Jose Chan, and Southern Philippines Medical Center Chief Dr. Ricardo Audan, for their leadership and service.

During the gathering, Go and his Malasakit Team distributed shirts, pens, fruits, snacks, and foldable fans to about 350 health professionals as tokens of appreciation.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Go reaffirmed his commitment to strengthen healthcare services. He cited the Malasakit Centers program, the Super Health Center initiative, and the Regional Specialty Centers law as flagship measures aimed at improving access to affordable health care.

Go, principal author of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, said 167 Malasakit Centers are now operational across the country, assisting more than 17 million Filipinos with medical expenses. Davao City hosts one such center at the Southern Philippines Medical Center.

He also noted that more than 700 Super Health Centers are being established nationwide with support from Congress, the Department of Health (DOH), and local governments. Meanwhile, the Regional Specialty Centers Act mandates specialized care units in existing DOH regional hospitals.

“Bukas ang aking opisina para sa inyong lahat. Patuloy akong tutulong sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo,” Go said.