Bong Go underscores continuing efforts to bring healthcare services closer to Filipinos as he joins groundbreaking of Super Health Center in Balete, Aklan

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, personally attended the groundbreaking ceremony of a Super Health Center in Balete, Aklan on Saturday, October 7.

The event was also graced by key local officials including Governor Jo-en Miraflores and Vice Governor Reynaldo Quimpo. The local government was represented by Mayor Dexter Calizo and Vice Mayor Patrick Lachica from the Municipality of Balete, as well as Mayor Miguel Miraflores from the Municipality of Ibajay.

During his address at the groundbreaking ceremony, Go emphasized the critical role that Super Health Centers can play in decongesting hospitals, facilitating early disease detection, and providing essential healthcare services such as primary care and medical consultations directly to the community.

“Ano po itong Super Health Center? It’s a medium type of a polyclinic. Pwede po diyan ‘yung panganganak, dental, laboratory, x-ray, pagpapabakuna. Alam n’yo naisipan ko po ‘yang Super Health Center noong 2021. Sa kakaikot ko po ng buong Pilipinas, ‘yung mga may sakit anlayo ng byahe, yung mga buntis nanganganak na lang sa tricycle o sa jeepney dahil malalayo ang hospital. Ngayon po mayroon na kayong sarili ninyong health center. Pwede na po diyan ‘yung panganganak, pagkonsulta, at iba pa,” shared Go.

“Malaking tulong po ito na ma-decongest ‘yung mga hospitals. Makakatulong rin sa early disease detection para maagapan ang sakit. Hindi na kailangang ilakbay pa natin ng napakalayong hospital,” he added.

Super Health Centers shall provide convenient access for basic healthcare delivery, offering a wide range of medical services to communities. These Super Health Centers provide services such as database management, outpatient care, birthing facilities, isolation units, diagnostic services (including laboratory, X-ray, and ultrasound), pharmacies, and ambulatory surgical units. Additional services include eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) care, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, as well as telemedicine for remote diagnosis and treatment.

“Sa ating pakikipagtulungan sa DOH, LGUs at mga kapwa nating mambabatas, magkakaroon po ng 307 Super Health Center sa year 2022 at 322 na Super Health Center sa year 2023 sa buong Pilipinas… Marami pa po ’yan sa buong Pilipinas, nakakalat po ‘yan sa mga strategic areas as identified by DOH,” highlighted Go.

Apart from Balete, the senator also supported the construction of other Super Health Centers in Aklan such as in Banga, Kalibo, Ibajay, Batan, Nabas, Numancia, Boracay, Malay and New Washington — the last two of which held its groundbreaking last September 15.

Moreover, the senator also urged individuals with health concerns to take advantage of medical assistance available at the Malasakit Center in Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital, located in Kalibo, Aklan.

Established in 2018, the Malasakit Center serves as a one-stop shop aimed at helping particularly poor and indigent patients minimize their medical expenses to the lowest amount possible by collaborating with various agencies offering medical assistance programs.

This initiative was institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, a law principally authored and sponsored by Go in the Senate. Presently, there are 159 Malasakit Centers spread across the country, and they have collectively provided support to more than seven million Filipinos, as reported by the Department of Health (DOH).

Moreover, echoing President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s priority of bringing specialized medical services closer to other parts of the country, Go highlighted that he has principally sponsored and is one of the authors of the Regional Specialty Centers Act which was recently enacted into law.

The law mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers within existing DOH regional hospitals. It stands as a testament to the commitment of the government to uplift the nation’s health infrastructure and bring actual medical services closer to the Filipino people.

“Ipagpatuloy natin na ilapit ang serbisyong medikal mula gobyerno sa ating mga kababayang mahihirap na walang ibang matakbuhan. The more we should support their health needs, the more na mag-invest po tayo sa ating healthcare system,” Go said.

“Huwag po natin silang pahirapan. Marami po sa mga kababayan natin sa iba’t ibang sulok ng Pilipinas na wala silang sariling health facility. Kaya importante na mailapit natin ang serbisyong medikal mula gobyerno sa mga taong nangangailangan nito,” he stressed.

After the groundbreaking ceremony, Go proceeded to the construction site of the new evacuation center as part of his ongoing efforts to improve disaster preparedness and response in the community. This project, which he supported as vice chairperson of the Senate
Jo
Jo Eurolfan De Leon
After the groundbreaking ceremony, Go proceeded to the construction site of the new evacuation center as part of his ongoing efforts to improve disaster preparedness and response in the community. This project, which he supported as vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, aims to provide a safe and well-equipped facility where residents can take shelter during emergencies.

Other projects he supported throughout the province include the construction of local roads in Makato, installation of streetlights in Tangalan, construction of an evacuation center in Numancia, a two-story building for the Ibajay District Hospital, and the renovation of the Ibajay Municipal Park.

He also supported the construction of roads in Balete and Makato, riverbank protection structures along the Tigayon-Kalibo and Minalezo sections of the Kalibo River, and a multi-purpose building for monitoring emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and another multi-purpose building in Balete. He further backed the refurbishment of the Altavas and Libacao public parks.

On the same day, Go also assisted residents in the town of Makato and joined the Ati-Atihan Festival celebration in Kalibo. Earlier that day, he was in Cebu to provide aid to fire-hit families in Cebu City.