Bong Go seeks to improve healthcare accessibility in grassroots as he attends ribbon-cutting ceremony for Super Health Center in Libungan, Cotabato

SENATOR  Christopher “Bong” Go, dedicated to enhancing public health services access, especially in remote communities, personally attended the blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Super Health Center (SHC) in Libungan, Cotabato on August 5, Saturday.

“Ang Super Health Center po is a medium-type of a polyclinic, yet an improved version of the rural health unit. Ibig sabihin, mas maliit lang ito sa ospital, pwede po d’yan ang dental, laboratory, x-ray at pwede pong i-expand pa ng LGU. Pwede n’yang lagyan ng dialysis machine. Dahil ito pong Super Health Center ilalagay sa mga strategic areas, makakatulong ito maka-decongest sa mga ospital,” explained Go.

“Makakatulong ito na mailapit din natin ang serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan. Marami pong mga 4th class, 5th class, 6th class municipalities na wala pong sariling health center. Napansin ko sa kakaikot ko sa buong Pilipinas, ang mga buntis nanganganak na lang sa tricycle, sa jeepney dahil wala silang mga health center na malapit sa kanila.

Ngayon po, mayroon na silang Super Health Center,” he continued.

The establishment of SHCs is part of Go’s initiatives, in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH), aimed at reinforcing the healthcare system, especially in providing basic medical services in remote areas.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go has been a consistent advocate for these healthcare facilities, emphasizing their significance in granting more Filipinos affordable healthcare.

The SHCs will provide a range of health services, including database management, outpatient care, birthing facilities, isolation units, diagnostic facilities (like x-rays and ultrasounds), pharmacies, and ambulatory surgical units.

Additional services include EENT service, oncology centers, physical therapy, rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine.

Through the combined efforts of DOH and lawmakers, funds were allocated for 307 SHCs in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, the main implementing body, identifies the strategic locations for these centers.

In 2022, SHCs were funded in Kidapawan City and towns like Banisilan, Libungan, and Arakan. This year, centers were funded in Magpet, Aleosan, Midsayap, Pigcawayan, President Roxas, Tulunan, and another in Kidapawan City.

After the blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, also attended the inter-barangay basketball championship game in the town. This was in celebration of its 62nd founding anniversary and the 8th Katambolit Festival, at the invitation of Mayor Angel Rose Cuan.

That day, Go and his staff also distributed grocery packs, vitamins, masks, shirts, and snacks to 1,000 struggling residents at the Barangay Batiocan covered court. He likewise gave away shoes, bicycles, cellular phones, watches, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select beneficiaries.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided financial assistance to qualified beneficiaries as well.

Apart from the SHCs, medical assistance programs by the government are also made more accessible through the Malasakit Centers at Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Kidapawan City.

The Malasakit Centers program was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which Go principally authored and sponsored. The Malasakit Center serves as a hub where needy patients can seek assistance from various government agencies, such as DOH, DSWD, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Mayroon na tayong 158 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas na handang tumulong sa inyo. Batas na ‘yan na aking isinulong noon, pinirmahan ni (dating) pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte,” said Go.

These centers have assisted over seven million Filipinos thus far, according to DOH.

As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has likewise supported several projects in the province of Cotabato to help ensure continued development, such as the construction of the Arakan, Natutungan and Bangbang barangay halls in Matalam; concreting of farm-to-market and local roads in Alamada, Banisilan, Libungan, Midsayap and President Roxas; construction of bridges in Arakan, Kabacan and Tulunan; construction or rehabilitation of drainage canals in Kabacan and Pikit; and construction of potable water system facilities in Tulunan.

Go then expressed his gratitude to the local officials led by Governor Lala Taliño-Mendoza, Vice Governor Efren Piñol, Libungan Mayor Cuan, and Vice Mayor Jims Fullecido, among others, for their unwavering support to the people they represent.

“Mga kababayan tandaan natin, minsan lang po tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” said Go.