SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go continues his push for improved healthcare services across the country, emphasizing the importance of accessible and quality medical assistance, particularly in the provinces. As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Senator Go underscored the progress made in Western Visayas through Malasakit Centers, Super Health Centers, and the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers in the region.
“Ayaw nating may Pilipinong namamatay nang hindi man lang nakapagpakonsulta o nakatanggap ng tamang lunas dahil lang walang pambayad. Dapat, kapag may sakit, madali at abot-kaya ang pagpapagamot,” said Senator Go.
Western Visayas is home to nine Malasakit Centers, which were established to provide financial and medical assistance to indigent patients seeking treatment in public hospitals. These centers serve as one-stop shops where agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) converge to streamline aid distribution.
Among the facilities with Malasakit Centers in the region is Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental; Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital in Roxas City, Capiz; Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital in Kalibo, Aklan; Dr. Catalino Gallego Nava Provincial Hospital in Jordan, Guimaras; Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital in San Jose Buenavista, Antique; Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo; Western Visayas Sanitarium in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo; Western Visayas Medical Center and West Visayas State University Medical Center in Iloilo City, Iloilo.
Malasakit Centers aim to support impoverished patients by reducing their hospital expenses to the lowest possible amount. Senator Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the program.
As of now, 167 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The DOH reports that the program has already provided aid to more than 17 million Filipinos, alleviating the financial burden of healthcare costs.
“Alam kong mahirap magkasakit, lalo na sa mga probinsya kung saan malayo ang ospital at mahal ang pagpapagamot. Kaya nang isulong natin ang Malasakit Centers, ang hangad lang natin ay mapagaan ang pasanin ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” he said.
Building on these efforts, Senator Go has also championed the establishment of Super Health Centers in Western Visayas. These facilities serve as intermediate healthcare hubs, designed to decongest major hospitals by handling primary care services, consultations, and minor medical procedures.
From 24 Super Health Centers in 2022, the region saw 48 more completed in 2023, with an additional 13 slated for completion in 2024. These centers bridge the gap between barangay health stations and large public hospitals, ensuring that medical assistance is more readily available at the community level.
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. Free consultations at these centers would be handled by municipal health offices, local government units, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) through its Konsulta program.
“Hindi lahat ng Pilipino ay kayang bumiyahe papuntang malalaking ospital. Kaya dapat, ang serbisyong medikal ay inilalapit mismo sa tao. ‘Yan ang layunin ng Super Health Centers—para may mas malapit at maaasahang pasilidad para sa pangangailangang medikal ng bawat pamilya,” Senator Go stressed.
Through the concerted efforts of Senator Go, fellow lawmakers, the DOH led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and local government units, adequate funding was allocated for the establishment of more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide.
The senator likewise championed the development of Regional Specialty Centers in key hospitals across Western Visayas, aligning with his vision to equip regional healthcare facilities with advanced treatment capabilities. These centers will reduce the need for patients to travel to Metro Manila for specialized medical care.
The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City will house Regional Specialty Centers for renal care and transplant services, brain and spine care, neonatal care, burn care, and geriatric care—aiming to improve survival rates and treatment outcomes for complex medical conditions.
Meanwhile, the Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo is slated to host several Regional Specialty Centers by 2025, including those focused on cardiovascular care, lung care, orthopedic treatment, trauma care, and cancer care.
“Ang gusto natin, kung may malubhang sakit ang isang pasyente, hindi na nila kailangang lumuwas pa ng Maynila para lang makakuha ng tamang gamutan. Dapat mismo sa rehiyon, may sapat at mahusay na pasilidad para sa kanilang pangangailangan,” Senator Go explained.
The senator principally sponsored and is one of the authors of Republic Act No. 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act. The law mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals, ensuring that advanced medical care becomes more accessible across different parts of the country.
“Buhay ang nakataya dito. Kung maayos ang serbisyong medikal, mas maraming Pilipino ang maliligtas. Ipaglalaban ko ito dahil naniniwala ako na karapatan ng bawat isa ang maayos na pangangalagang pangkalusugan, saan man sila nakatira,” he said.
Go also co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11564, which established the Bacolod City General Hospital. This law, signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2021, underscores Go’s relentless efforts to enhance healthcare services across the country.
With these developments in Western Visayas, Senator Go reassured that he will continue championing laws and programs that put the health and well-being of Filipinos first.
