Bringing healthcare services closer to Filipinos

Health is wealth. For many Filipino families, getting medical attention is not as simple as going to the hospital and getting checked. For those who are in far-flung areas, medical treatment would cost hours of travel, transportation expenses and any additional costs, which make it harder for them. Also, for some, even a simple fever would become a serious financial burden, especially for those who are already struggling to make ends meet.

That is why I believe that healthcare must be prioritized and brought closer to the people. It should not be a privilege reserved only for those who can afford medical services, as everyone has the right to accessible healthcare.

As vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, I continue to advocate for a healthcare system that prioritizes the needs of ordinary Filipinos, particularly the poor and vulnerable. One of the initiatives I have supported toward this goal is the establishment of Super Health Centers across the country. We have consistently reminded the Department of Health (DoH) and local government units to complement each other to ensure that these facilities will be operational and truly benefit our people.

Super Health Centers are designed to focus on primary care, consultation and early detection, thereby further strengthening the country’s healthcare sector, particularly in grassroots communities. These facilities are envisioned to decongest major hospitals by handling common illnesses, basic diagnostics and preventive services at the local level.

Other flagship programs that we champion in healthcare are the Malasakit Center and Regional Specialty Centers.

Malasakit Centers bring together personnel from government agencies to help indigent and financially incapacitated patients access medical and financial assistance in one location.

We are the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act (RA) 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the program. With 167 Malasakit Centers operating nationwide, the initiative has assisted more than 17 million Filipinos, according to the DoH.

We likewise principally sponsored RA 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which seeks to expand access to specialized medical services in DoH hospitals across the country.

Just last week, three Super Health Centers were turned over in the Davao Region. We were represented by Councilor Che-Che Justol during the blessing and inauguration of the facility in the remote area of Barangay Malabog, Davao City, while we personally attended the blessing and inauguration of the Super Health Centers in Barangay Dumoy, Davao City, on 22 October, and in Baganga, Davao Oriental, on 24 October, marking another step toward bringing essential healthcare services closer to our fellow Filipinos.

On 20 October, we personally visited the 349 families who were affected by a fire in Tondo, Manila, where we gave additional assistance. The beneficiaries also received assistance from the national government to procure materials to rebuild their homes.

We were pleased to meet with United States Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton, together with Senator Robin Padilla, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and Vice Mayor Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II, during the ambassador’s visit to Davao City on 22 October.

On the same day, we also conducted an aid distribution in Barangay 76-A Bucana to assist 79 fire victims in coordination with barangay captain Richard Olanolan.

On 23 October, we also extended assistance to 500 barangay functionaries in Lupon, Davao Oriental; 530 persons with disabilities in San Isidro; and 500 youth, members of the LGBTQ+ community and massage therapists in Mati City.

We then proceeded to Davao Oriental State University-Main Campus in Mati City for the inauguration of the newly renovated gym, which we supported as the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance.

We also had the opportunity to interact and engage in conversations with the students and faculty members of Davao Oriental State University-Baganga Campus during our visit to Davao Oriental on 24 October. On the same day, we personally extended assistance to 500 beneficiaries in Baganga, including youth, members of the LGBTQ+ sector and massage therapists.

Meanwhile, our Malasakit Team continued to deliver assistance to those in need as they aided fire victims in Zamboanga City, Carcar City in Cebu and Caloocan City.

Furthermore, scholars in Roxas City, Capiz; Iloilo City; and Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay, also received additional assistance from our Malasakit Team.

As a health reforms crusader, I will continue to support measures that strengthen the country’s healthcare delivery system and promote the responsible use of public funds. Every peso allocated for healthcare must produce meaningful benefits for the Filipino people.

As Mr. Malasakit, I will continue to be of service to the Filipino people sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos.