DURING the inaugural ceremony of a new Super Health Center in Biñan City, Laguna, on Saturday, May 18, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go paused for a while in his scheduled activities to interact and assist Sky Cruz, a young local vendor he met on the road.
Spotting Sky and her sibling Rain selling banana and camote cues near the event’s venue, Go supported their small business by purchasing all their goods and ensuring that the young vendor received medical attention for a minor skin condition, demonstrating his commitment to community support and healthcare.
“These children remind us of the resilience and spirit of the Filipino people,” Go remarked, emphasizing his commitment to health and local economic support.
After noticing that Sky seemed uncomfortable due to skin irritation, he took the initiative to have him checked by a doctor at the newly inaugurated Super Health Center.
Dr. Roy Caamod, who attended to Sky, reported that it was only a mild prickly heat and no serious health concerns.
Go expressed his relief, saying, “Natuwa ako na malaman na ayos lang si Sky. Mahalagang masiguro natin na ang kalusugan ng ating mga kabataan. Kaya natin isinulong itong mga health facilities sa komunidad tulad ng Super Health Centers para mailapit ang serbisyo medikal sa mga Pilipinong nangangailangan tulad ni Sky.”
Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, has initiated efforts to improve youth health across the Philippines by advocating for the continued operations of Malasakit Centers and establishing Super Health Centers nationwide. These initiatives are part of his commitment to enhancing the healthcare system, particularly at the grassroots level.
The Malasakit Centers program, a cornerstone of Go’s healthcare advocacy, integrate medical assistance services from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to assist impoverished Filipinos.
These centers are designed to cover patient hospital bills, making healthcare more accessible and affordable. To date, 165 operational Malasakit Centers nationwide have served more or less ten million Filipinos. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
In addition to the Malasakit Centers, Go reiterated his commitment to support the establishment of more Super Health Centers across the country, considering how they can significantly help reduce hospital occupancy rates while bringing government medical services closer to the grassroots.
He said that Super Health Centers are designed to focus on primary care, consultation, and early detection, further strengthening the country’s healthcare sector, especially in grassroots communities. He also confirmed that free consultations would be handled by municipal health offices, local government units, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation through its Konsulta program.
Through the concerted efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, the Department of Health, led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and local government units, adequate funding was allocated for establishing more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide including 13 in Laguna.
Finally, Go, who principally sponsored and is one of the authors of Republic Act No. 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, worked collaboratively with other legislators to enact the law that mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers within existing DOH regional hospitals. It stands as a testament to the commitment of the government to uplift the nation’s health infrastructure.
“Sinisiguro ko sa inyo na patuloy kaming magseserbisyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” said Go, who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.
