Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Tuesday called for faster and fully funded implementation of geriatric specialty care already mandated under the Regional Specialty Centers Law, even as he voiced support for the proposed Philippine Geriatric Center.

Speaking during Senate interpellations on 16 December, Go warned that delays in executing existing laws could undermine efforts to decentralize healthcare for senior citizens.

Republic Act No. 11959, passed unanimously during the 19th Congress, mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers in Department of Health hospitals nationwide, including geriatric care. Go, the law’s principal sponsor, said the intent was to make specialty services accessible across regions.

“While we advocate for the establishment of a specialized center, the Philippine Geriatric Center, importante na maging available din ang geriatric care sa iba’t ibang parte ng bansa,” Go said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros said 33 DOH hospitals have been designated as geriatric specialty centers, with seven fully operational and the rest targeted for completion by 2028.

Go questioned timelines and funding, noting that most centers remain unfinished.

“Itong mga ongoing po ngayon, kailan po ‘yung target na matatapos ‘to?” he asked.

“Ngayon magtatayo po tayo ng Philippine Geriatric Center, pwede bang malaman ng publiko anong ipinagkaiba po nito, bakit magtatayo na tayo ngayon ng dedicated, since marami pang mga ongoing. Out of 33 na geriatric specialty centers ay pito pa lang po ang natatapos at mayroon pang 26 na ongoing?” he said.

Go cautioned that concentrating resources in Metro Manila could disadvantage seniors from the provinces.

“So marami, ‘yung iba mahihirapan na pong bumiyahe,” he said.

He reiterated that the law embeds specialty centers in existing DOH hospitals.

“Hindi s’ya stand-alone dahil napakatagal po nitong gawin. Kaya ilalagay na po doon sa mga existing DOH hospital,” Go said.

Go also raised concerns about funding levels.

“Napansin ko lang kasi medyo hindi po ganon kalaki ‘yung allocation o ‘yung ina-appropriate na funds yearly since batas na po ito,” he said.

After learning that no site or funding has yet been finalized for the proposed center, Go stressed that new initiatives must complement existing facilities.

“Importante po na we are not abandoning the existing system but instead making sure that they complement one another,” he said. “Sana hindi masayang ‘yung pinasa nating batas,” he added.