Bong Go inspects Super Health Center, helps indigents in Bulakan, Bulacan

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go inspected on Monday, July 3, a Super Health Center in Bulakan, Bulacan and spearheaded relief efforts aimed at assisting underprivileged individuals in the community.

Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said the establishment of the health center aims to meet the increasing healthcare demands of the local community.

“Buti po kayo rito, maganda po ang inyong (lugar), maunlad po ang inyong bayan. (Pero) napakarami pong munisipyo na 4th class, 5th class, 6th class municipalities na wala pong sariling mga pasilidad pangkalusugan,” Go said.

By bringing essential medical services closer to their doorstep, the facility aims to ensure that the population has easy access to the healthcare they require, according to Go.

“Sa kakaikot ko sa buong Pilipinas, napapansin ko na may mga buntis nanganganak sa tricycle, sa jeepney dahil napakalayo po ng mga ospital. Ngayon po, paglalagyan sila ng mga Super Health Center. 307 na Super Health Center po ang napondohan sa year 2022 at 322 na Super Health Center po sa year 2023 po ang itatayo sa buong Pilipinas, kasama na po dito sa inyong lugar,” he said.

The centers aim to provide essential health services such as database management, outpatient care, birthing facilities, isolation units, diagnostic services (laboratory, X-ray, ultrasound), pharmacies, and ambulatory surgical units.

Other services available include eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) care, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine, which enables remote diagnosis and treatment of patients.

The Department of Health, as the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed.

Apart from Bulakan, DOH has identified other strategic locations to establish Super Health Centers, including the cities of Baliuag, Meycauayan, and San Jose del Monte, and the towns of Angat, Balagtas, Pandi, San Miguel, Guiguinto, Marilao, Obando, Paombong, Plaridel, San Ildefonso, and San Rafael.

Go expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the local officials including Mayor Vergel Meneses and Vice Mayor Aika Sanchez for their collaborative efforts in prioritizing the welfare of their constituents.

“Kung ano po ‘yung mga proyektong makakatulong dito sa inyo ay tumutulong po ako sa abot ng aking makakaya,” Go said.

“Huwag po kayong magpasalamat sa amin. Sa totoo lang po, kami po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan n’yo po kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo po sa inyo. Maraming salamat po sa inyo. Utusan n’yo lang po ako, sanay naman po ako sa trabaho. Umaga, tanghali, hapunan, kahit sa panaginip nagtatrabaho ako. Iyan na po ang nakasanayan ko. Dahil ang bisyo ko ay magserbisyo sa inyo,” he underscored.

After the groundbreaking, Go led a distribution activity at the town’s evacuation center for 1,000 indigents, mainly composed of transport workers. They received grocery packs, masks, vitamins, shirts, and snacks. Some of them also received a watch, bicycles, mobile phones, shoes, and balls for basketball and volleyball.

Meanwhile, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended financial assistance.

The senator likewise encouraged the beneficiaries to visit any of the Malasakit Centers at Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos City, Rogaciano M. Mercado Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria, or Ospital ng Lungsod in San Jose del Monte should they need assistance with their hospital bills.

The Malasakit Centers program has been institutionalized through Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored. There are now 158 operational centers in the country since the program was initiated in 2018.

The Malasakit Centers bring together different government agencies, such as the DSWD, DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, to provide faster and more convenient medical assistance to poor and indigent patients.

“Ako naman, handa akong magtrabaho para sa Pilipino. Iyan po ang pwede kong i-alay sa inyo, ang aking pagseserbisyo. Hindi po ako pulitiko na mangangako na kayang gawin ito. Hindi po ako gano’n. Sa abot ng aking makakaya, magtatrabaho ako para sa inyo dahil mahal ko po ang aking kapwa Pilipino. At ang bisyo ko magserbisyo po sa taumbayan,” Go said.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go likewise supported the construction of a multipurpose building in Barangay Salusoy and Bamboo Eco Park in Brgy. Pajo. He also helped secure the funding for a street lighting project and the acquisition of an ambulance unit, and the establishment of Ospital ng Meycauayan.

Continuing his efforts to support those in need, Go took the lead in organizing a relief effort on the same day for financially challenged individuals in Tanauan City, Batangas.