KNOWN for his tireless health reforms crusade, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has continuously pushed for measures to make healthcare accessible and affordable for every Filipino. As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, his advocacy centers on addressing the pressing health concerns of the nation, particularly for the marginalized sector.
One of the key programs lauded by Senator Go is PhilHealth’s Konsulta Program. This initiative, mandated by the Universal Health Care Law, aims to provide Filipinos with equitable access to quality outpatient care, diagnostic services, and preventive health measures. The Konsulta Program is designed to address common illnesses and health risks, ensuring that timely and effective medical attention is available to prevent unnecessary complications or deaths.
During a Senate hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Health on December 18, PhilHealth Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Eli Dino Santos reported significant progress in expanding benefit packages to cover the top 10 leading causes of mortality in the Philippines. These include heart diseases, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and hypertensive conditions. According to Santos, this was achieved through PhilHealth’s Konsulta Program and enhanced individual benefit packages.
“Mr. Chairperson, under the first commitment, we have increased the benefit packages for the top 10 mortality diseases in the Philippines such as heart diseases, diabetes, respiratory diseases, and hypertensive disease. In general, we have already complied with this through the Konsulta Program as well as through individual benefit packages,” Santos said during the hearing.
Senator Go reiterated the importance of continuously improving healthcare benefits, particularly for marginalized Filipinos.
“Ang kalusugan ay hindi dapat maging pribilehiyo lamang ng iilan. Sisiguraduhin natin na ang bawat Pilipino, lalo na ang mga walang kakayahang magbayad ng mahal na ospital, ay may access sa serbisyong pangkalusugan,” he emphasized.
The Konsulta Program aims to address the most common illnesses that lead to preventable deaths. Senator Go’s chairmanship of the committee has been pivotal in prioritizing these health initiatives in Senate discussions.
“Hindi tayo titigil sa pagpapabuti ng ating sistema ng pangangalaga ng kalusugan. Kailangang siguruhin natin na ang bawat piso na ginagastos ng gobyerno ay direktang nakakarating sa tao,” Senator Go stressed.
As a staunch advocate of health reforms, Senator Go has also been instrumental in passing key legislation that supports universal healthcare.
“Ito po ang layunin ng ating public service—ang tumulong sa bawat Pilipino na nangangailangan. Patuloy nating pagtatrabahuan na walang Pilipinong maiiwan pagdating sa kalusugan,” he concluded.
