SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, widely known for his health reforms crusade, praised the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) for introducing a new optometry benefit package for children. The initiative, which covers vision assessment, prescription eyeglasses, and follow-up consultations, is designed for Filipino children aged 15 and younger.
This comes after numerous appeals from health stakeholders highlighted during Senate Committee on Health hearings that Go presided on.
“Sulit po ang ating pakikipaglaban dito sa komite, sulit po ang ating pangungulit, kasama po ang iba’t ibang health advocates dahil kahit papaano ay ginagawan na po ng aksyon ng PhilHealth ang mga hinaing na naisiwalat sa sunud-sunod na committee hearings na ating pinamunuan,” Senator Go said.
“Nakakatuwa po na unti-unti nang binibigyan ng pansin ang mga pangangailangan ng ating kabataan pagdating sa kanilang kalusugan,” Senator Go added.
The optometry package, detailed in PhilHealth Circular No. 2025-0002, allows beneficiaries to access the annual benefit worth PhP 2,500, which includes eyeglasses with regular frames and lenses. Children who require further specialized care will be referred to ophthalmologists. This measure comes at a time when the 2018 Philippine Eye Disease Study revealed that 9% of kindergarten students suffer from visual impairments, with the number doubling by adolescence.
“Ang malinaw na paningin ay mahalaga sa kanilang pag-aaral at araw-araw na pamumuhay. Kaya naman saludo po ako sa hakbang na ito ng PhilHealth,” Go emphasized.
As Chairperson of both the Senate committees on Health and on Youth, Senator Go commended the initiative but urged PhilHealth to accelerate its implementation of other reforms, particularly those addressing the needs of vulnerable sectors including children.
“Bagama’t magandang balita ito, marami pa rin po tayong kailangang gawin. Siguraduhin natin na ang serbisyo ng PhilHealth ay maayos at abot-kamay ng lahat,” he said.
The senator also pointed to the importance of ensuring funds are managed responsibly, reiterating his earlier criticism of the agency’s need to implement more reforms. “Hindi dapat nawawala ang tiwala ng taumbayan. Bawat piso ng kontribusyon nila ay dapat gamitin sa serbisyong pangkalusugan,” he added.
Senator Go highlighted the pressing need for PhilHealth to enhance its services beyond the optometry package, citing his longstanding advocacy for reforms in case rates, free medicines, and assistive devices. He previously pressed for the removal of the Single Period of Confinement policy and called on PhilHealth to scrap the 24-hour confinement rule to make healthcare coverage more inclusive.
As the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Senator Go reiterated his call for a more proactive approach to expanding benefit packages, particularly for diseases with high mortality rates. He emphasized the importance of preventive care and the inclusion of dental and emergency services under PhilHealth.
“Ang kalusugan po ay hindi dapat pribilehiyo kundi karapatan ng bawat Pilipino,” Senator Go stated. “Kaya patuloy po tayong magbabantay at magtutulak ng mga repormang tunay na makikinabang ang mga ordinaryong mamamayan.”
Senator Go’s advocacy for healthcare reform has resonated with many Filipinos, especially as he continues to champion policies aimed at lessening the financial burden on ordinary citizens. His recent efforts include urging PhilHealth to commit to transparent fund management and sustainable service expansion.
“Masakit makita ang mga kababayan natin na nahihirapan dahil sa kakulangan ng serbisyong pangkalusugan. Hindi po dapat ganito ang sistema,” Senator Go said. “Bilang lingkod-bayan, responsibilidad ko po na tiyakin na bawat isa ay may access sa abot-kayang at dekalidad na serbisyong medikal.”
The senator’s consistent pressure on PhilHealth has led to significant policy changes, including the removal of outdated rules and the expansion of benefits. However, he remains vigilant in ensuring that these reforms translate into real and meaningful improvements for all Filipinos.
“Nalulungkot po ako tuwing may mga nag-aalangan magpatingin sa doktor dahil natatakot sila sa babayaran sa hospital. Pangalagaan natin ang kalusugan dahil ito at katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” Go said.
