SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, during the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Health, which was held jointly with the Committees on Tourism and on Finance on Tuesday, March 12, said that the enhancement and upgrading of public health facilities in the Philippines is not a fiscal strain but an essential investment in the nation’s future.
Sharing observations from his visits to hospitals nationwide, Go, in his opening statement, painted a grim picture of overcrowding and insufficient resources, emphasizing the continuing need for upgrades.
“Isang kama, dalawang pasyente dahil walang available na kama. Kaya po iyon ang pag-uusapan natin dito, upgrading of hospitals. Some hospitals have already exceeded their bed occupancy rate, with some reaching as high as 400%. Kawawa po ang kalagayan nila.”
In addition to the challenges of expediting patient recovery, Go said that the spread of the disease poses a significant threat, particularly to the health and safety of healthcare workers.
Go then turned the spotlight on the local hospital bills discussed in the hearing, which he said are crucial for establishing or upgrading public hospitals nationwide.
“Importante po na maging operational ang mga health facilities at masiguro na kayang pondohan ang mga ito,” Go remarked, highlighting the essential role of financial planning and support from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Go voiced a common concern about the potential of well-intentioned legislation to result in “white elephants” projects that consume resources but remain unused or unhelpful to the communities they were meant to serve if not funded or implemented properly.
“Baka approve po tayo nang approve ng mga batas, pero wala naman pong budget. Kaya po napakaimportante ng Finance dito at ng DBM…” he said.
In tackling each local hospital bill on the agenda, Go first asked the executive agencies concerned for their positions particularly the Department of Health on its capability to operate and sustain such facilities, as well as the Department of Budget and Management to ensure sufficient funds are available to implement the measures if passed.
“With that being said, funding for the upgrade and establishment of these hospitals for discussion should be ensured so that these would not just be unfunded laws,” Go added.
Go also echoed concerns that Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri raised about the insufficiency of medical facilities and personnel in the Philippines’ tourist destinations.
“…despite the popularity of our tourist destinations and their contribution to the growth of our economy, most of these areas still lack the necessary medical facilities and personnel,” Go acknowledged.
To address these problems, the senator highlighted legislative efforts, such as the passage and sponsorship of Republic Act No. 11500, which establishes the Siargao Island Medical Center as a step towards enhancing medical infrastructure in tourist-heavy locations.
He also stressed the importance of the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan (PHFDP) and the role of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in its implementation.
Acknowledging the division of responsibilities, Go called for collaboration between the Department of Health (DOH) and DPWH to ensure the successful completion of health projects.
Go pointed out the alarming statistics from the PHFDP, revealing significant gaps in healthcare access nationwide. With approximately 50% of barangays lacking a health station and a notable portion of the population without access to a Rural Health Unit within 30 minutes, Go said that the urgency for establishing Super Health Centers was clear.
He expressed his firm support for the DOH and the initiative to build more than 700 Super Health Centers from 2022 to 2024, stressing the importance of these centers in providing primary care, consultation, and early detection services.
Additionally, the inadequacy of Level 2 and 3 hospitals in several provinces and regions highlighted the need for prioritized funding and development to bridge these gaps.
Meanwhile, concerns over the slow utilization of the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) budget and reports of substandard quality in some health facility constructions were also raised by Go, prompting questions about land issues, implementation challenges, and the DOH’s oversight of contractors.
“As of September 2023, 43% pa lang po (ng budget) ng HFEP para sa 2023 ang na-utilize, at tayo po ay nasa 2024 na po, matatapos na po ang first quarter. Gusto rin nating malaman ano na ang update dito? Bakit mabagal ang paggamit nyo ng pondo? May problema ba sa lupa? May problema ba sa implementasyon?” Go questioned.
In discussing the governmental response to health infrastructure needs, Go highlighted the legislative accomplishments of the previous Congress, which saw the passage of 69 laws that he principally sponsored aimed at upgrading and establishing various public hospitals across the country.
The senator also shed light on his role, together with his fellow legislators, in spearheading RA 11959, known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of specialty centers within existing DOH regional hospitals which he principally sponsored and is one of its authors.
The senator also highlighted RA 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act that he principally authored and sponsored in making medical assistance more accessible, especially for the impoverished and marginalized sectors, ensuring that help is readily available within public hospitals.
Lastly, Go also mentioned discussions on resolutions filed by Senator Raffy Tulfo regarding alleged bullying within hospital hierarchies and the need for transparency in medical billing.
The senator then made a passionate plea to government officials to use public funds wisely and prioritize the needs of the poor, especially in healthcare.
“‘Yun lang po ang pakiusap ko sa inyo, gamitin niyo po ang pera ng gobyerno sa mga mahihirap at dapat po ang mga mahihirap po na kababayan natin ang makikinabang sa mga hospital na ito… Unahin natin ang mga mahihirap, mga helpless at hopeless nating kababayan,” urged the senator.
