Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, commended the Department of Health and the local government of Lian, Batangas for the groundbreaking of its Super Health Center on Thursday, 31 August.
The groundbreaking was also supported by local officials, including Gov. Hermilando Mandanas, Vice Governor Mark Leviste, Mayor Joseph Peji, and Vice Mayor Ronin Leviste. In a video message, Go said the groundbreaking marked a significant step towards bringing quality government medical services closer to Filipinos and strengthening the nation's healthcare system.
"Ito po ay isang makabuluhang pagkakataon upang ipahayag ang aking lubos na pagpupugay sa inyong lokal na pamahalaan sa pag-usbong ng Super Health Center dito sa inyong bayan," said Go.
"Ito ay isang malaking hakbang para mapalapit ang gobyerno sa mga Pilipino, lalo na sa mga nangangailangan ng serbisyong medikal. Sa pamamagitan ng Super Health Center, magiging accessible sa inyong komunidad ang primary care, free consultation at early detection ng sakit para maiwasang lumubha pa ito," he continued.
Go, an adopted son of CALABARZON with familial roots in Batangas and Davao, also continues to support the construction of more Super Health Centers in the province. Under the 2022 national budget, Super Health Centers in the province were funded in San Pascual, Agoncillo, Calatagan, Lipa City, Malvar, and Taysan, aside from the one in Ibaan.
In 2023, more centers were identified to be established in the towns of San Juan, Tingloy, Lian, and San Jose. In addition, two more Super Health Centers were funded in Lipa City.
These centers will offer database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation centers; and telemedicine, which makes remote diagnosis and treatment of patients possible.
Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, enough funds have been allocated to build 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, which is the lead agency in implementing the program, identifies the strategic locations for the construction of these centers.
Go also emphasized the importance of strengthening the nation's healthcare system, highlighting the lessons learned from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. "Napagtanto natin sa mga pagsubok na dala ng pandemyang COVID-19 ang kahalagahan ng malakas at handang healthcare system. Kailangan nating ituloy ang paglalagay ng pondo sa ating healthcare infrastructure upang masiguro na may access ang bawat Pilipino sa dekalidad na serbisyong pangkalusugan." he asserted.
The Super Health Center in Lian, Batangas, is just one of many initiatives spearheaded by Go to improve healthcare accessibility in the country as he also remains supportive of the continued operations of Malasakit Centers and the establishment of regional specialty centers nationwide.
Go also offered to help those with medical concerns. The senator encouraged the public to visit Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery and Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City where there are Malasakit Centers ready to assist with their medical-related expenses.
The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored in the Senate. The Act aims to provide convenient assistance to indigent patients and help them with their hospital bills and other health-related expenses. To date, there are 158 Malasakit Centers nationwide.
Go also proudly cited the enactment of RA 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act. He played a pivotal role in principally sponsoring and authoring this legislation in the Senate, which was recently signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on 24 August.
The Regional Specialty Centers Act mandates the establishment of specialized healthcare centers within the existing DOH regional hospitals.
On the same day, the Super Health Center in Calatagan was inaugurated.