SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, adopted son of CALABARZON, commended a successful medical mission in San Pablo City, Laguna, on Saturday, January 20.
Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, praised the initiative for its inclusive approach, which reached out to various segments of the population which often lack access to essential healthcare.
“It is with great pleasure that I extend my warmest congratulations and support for the birthday medical mission organized by (former) Board Member Angelica Jones. This initiative reflects a deep commitment to community health and well-being, showcasing the power of compassion and collaboration in making a significant impact,” said Go in his video message.
Go also emphasized the importance of such health initiatives in bridging healthcare gaps in rural and underserved areas of the country. He noted that these efforts align with the government’s broader goals of improving health services and making healthcare more accessible to all Filipinos.
The medical mission was held at San Pablo Central Elementary School Gymnasium. It has successfully provided a range of medical services to around 800 residents of San Pablo City. These services included general health check-ups and dental care.
In addition to the medical services provided, Go’s Malasakit Team contributed to the event by distributing small tokens, such as shirts and balls for basketball and volleyball, to some beneficiaries.
In alignment with Senator Go’s ongoing initiatives to make government services accessible to Filipinos, he emphasized the continuing operations of the Malasakit Centers program which he initiated since 2018.
A brainchild of Go, the Malasakit Center was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which the senator principally authored and sponsored to provide convenient access to government medical assistance programs for all Filipinos.
The 159 Malasakit centers nationwide have now assisted around ten million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH). Residents in Laguna province may get medical assistance from the Malasakit Centers at San Pablo City General Hospital or Laguna Medical Center in Sta. Cruz.
Furthermore, Senator Go is also advocating for establishing more Super Health Centers and Regional Specialty Centers nationwide. These centers are envisioned to significantly enhance the quality and availability of healthcare facilities and services, catering to a broader range of medical needs and specialties.
Through the collaborative efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, local government units, and DOH, led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa Jr., sufficient funds were allocated for 307 Super Health Centers nationwide in 2022, 322 in 2023, and 132 in 2024. In the province alone, 12 centers were funded. DOH, the lead implementing agency, is tasked with identifying strategic areas for construction.
Another measure that Go pushed for to improve healthcare access in the countryside is RA 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate.
The law mandates the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers within existing DOH regional hospitals, showcasing the government’s dedicated efforts to enhance the country’s health infrastructure.
Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Cavinti, Liliw, Lumban, Majayjay, Pagsanjan, Pila, Sta. Cruz and Sta. Maria; construction of slaughterhouses in Mabitac, Nagcarlan, and Pagsanjan; and public markets in Liliw, Nagcarlan, Pagsanjan, and Rizal.
Other projects he supported in Laguna are the construction of a farm-to-market road and a multipurpose covered court in Paete, the construction of a drainage canal in Cabuyao City, and the repair of the primary road inside Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa City, and installation of street lights in Lumban and Magdalena.
