Go disclosed that the Bureau of Fire Protection is currently undergoing a 10-year modernization program, following the enactment of the BFP Modernization Act of 2021 to ensure that it is better prepared and equipped to respond to fire-related incidents.
Under Republic Act 11589, which was primarily authored and co-sponsored by Go in the Senate, the BFP modernization program includes the acquisition of new fire equipment, hiring more firefighters, and provision of specialized training, among others.
Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, extended support to residents facing health issues, recommending they seek the services of the Malasakit Center at Lapu-Lapu City Hospital for medical assistance.
Malasakit Centers function as one-stop shops that provide convenient access to medical assistance programs for poor and indigent patients. These programs are offered by various agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, and there are currently 159 Malasakit Centers nationwide. According to DoH, these centers have helped more or less 10 million Filipinos.
In Cebu City, Malasakit Centers are located at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital and Cebu City Medical Center. Meanwhile, there are other Malasakit Centers at Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City, Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City and Cebu South Medical Center in Talisay City.
Go is also pushing for the establishment of Super Health Centers nationwide. Through the collective efforts of DoH, LGUs and fellow lawmakers, a budget was allocated for the construction of some 307 Super Health Centers across the country in 2022 and another 322 in 2023.