SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, has called for stronger self-reliance and increased investment in healthcare programs, including expanded PhilHealth coverage for tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment, as the country faces potential challenges from reported reduced foreign aid.
During a Senate committee hearing on Wednesday, February 12, Senator Go questioned the Department of Health (DOH) about the possible impact of declining support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on the country’s efforts to combat HIV and TB.
“Yung mga USAID assistance, maapektuhan ba ang HIV and tuberculosis concerns natin, lalo na po ito ang halos focus ng kanilang assistance?” Senator Go pressed, highlighting his concern that reduced aid could possibly disrupt life-saving programs.
The senator emphasized the urgency of action, pointing to the alarming increase in new HIV cases. “Ano ba’ng ginagawa ng DOH tungkol dito? Since 2021, the number of newly diagnosed HIV cases reported monthly has been increasing. Lumalaki po ang bilang ng mga laban sa HIV at sa tuberculosis.”
Senator Go urged PhilHealth to step up and expand its coverage for HIV and TB patients, stressing that universal healthcare should leave no one behind. “Kailangan palakasin ng PhilHealth ang coverage sa HIV at TB. Kung may natutunan tayo sa pandemya, ito ay ang kahalagahan ng accessible na serbisyong pangkalusugan para sa lahat,” he asserted.
“Lessons learned na po ito, the more we should invest in our healthcare system!,” he emphasized.
Go underlined the need for the government to invest more in healthcare and reduce dependence on foreign aid, drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. “Isa sa mga natutunan natin sa pandemya ay ang kahalagahan ng pagtutok sa kalusugan. Hindi tayo dapat umasa lang sa tulong ng ibang bansa. Tayo mismo ang dapat manguna sa pagpopondo ng mga programang ito,” he said.
The senator called on health agencies to maximize government resources and ensure that PhilHealth expands its benefit packages, particularly for vulnerable groups. “PhilHealth should ensure that HIV and TB patients receive adequate support. Hindi pwedeng kulang-kulang ang tulong lalo na sa mga kababayan nating nangangailangan ng gamutan,” said Senator Go.
Responding to Senator Go’s inquiry, DOH Assistant Secretary Dr. Albert Domingo assured that government funding remains the backbone of HIV and TB programs. He explained that although foreign aid, including support from the Global Fund and USAID, provides critical assistance, the bulk of financing already comes from local sources.
“Bagamat alam po natin na may mga tulong na ibinibigay ang ating mga foreign-funded projects, hindi ho ganon kalaki ‘yung kanilang naibibigay kumpara sa pinu-pondohan ng ating pamahalaan. Sa katunayan, ang financing po natin sa 2025, ang estimate po na nanggagaling sa international partners, kasama na po ang Global Fund at USAID, ay nasa PhP 830 million lamang. ‘Yan po ay out of PhP 7.74 billion,” Domingo explained.
He further noted that the DOH has earmarked PhP 6.2 billion from its 2025 budget specifically for HIV/AIDS and TB programs. Domingo also cited contributions from local government units (LGUs), other agencies, and private sector partners in bolstering healthcare responses.
Domingo echoed Senator Go’s call for self-reliance, sharing the results of a recent meeting of the Philippine Country Coordination Mechanism for the Global Fund, chaired by Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa. The discussion, which included partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Union, and UNAIDS, focused on reducing dependence on foreign assistance.
Senator Go welcomed the DOH’s commitment but pressed for tangible action, particularly from PhilHealth. “Pera ng taumbayan ang pondo ng PhilHealth. Siguraduhin nating sapat ang coverage para sa mga may HIV at TB. Hindi pwedeng matengga o mahuli ang serbisyo.”
He urged the government to learn from the pandemic experience by strengthening the healthcare system, ensuring sustainability, and protecting vulnerable sectors.
“Ang pandemya ay nagbigay sa atin ng mahalagang aral: Kapag may krisis, ang pinakamahalagang sandigan natin ay ang sarili nating kakayahan. Ngayon, hindi natin kailangan maghintay ng isa pang pandemya para matuto. Panahon na para unahin ang kalusugan dahil katumbas ito ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” Senator Go declared.
As part of his broader health agenda, Senator Go has been advocating for forward-looking solutions to strengthen the country’s public health system. He is pushing for the approval of his filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 195, which seeks to establish the Center for Disease Control (CDC), inspired by successful models in other countries. If enacted, the CDC will serve as the country’s central hub for disease prevention, surveillance, and control, addressing both infectious and non-communicable diseases.
Additionally, Senator Go is championing another critical measure—SBN 196—which aims to create the Virology Science and Technology Institute. This institution is envisioned to boost the country’s capability to study, detect, and combat emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
With these initiatives, Senator Go continues to push for a healthcare system that is self-reliant, forward-looking, and inclusive—one that prioritizes the well-being of every Filipino, especially the poor and vulnerable.
