DESPITE INCLEMENT WEATHER AND EMERGENCY LANDING, BONG GO STRENGTHENS HEALTHCARE ACCESSIBILITY AS HE SUPPORTS INAUGURATION OF SUPER HEALTH CENTER IN MABITAC, LAGUNA

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, an adopted son of CALABARZON, supported the inauguration of the new Super Health Center in Mabitac, Laguna, on December 2, Monday.

Go was initially scheduled to attend the inauguration personally. However, while en route to the event, Go was forced to make an emergency landing in Pililla, Rizal, due to worsening weather conditions.

“Napilitan ang aming piloto na mag-emergency landing sa bulubunduking bahagi ng bayan ng Pililla, Rizal dahil sa zero visibility. Sa sobrang lakas ng ulan at kapal ng fog, muntik na naming matamaan ang windmills doon,” Go shared.

“Pangatlong pagkakataon na ito na muntik na akong madisgrasya dahil sa pagtupad ko sa aking tungkulin bilang lingkod-bayan. God is good all the time. Basta maganda ang layunin mo, hindi ka Niya pababayaan. May good karma talaga ang pagtulong sa tao,” he added.

Go and his team experienced rain and zero visibility due to fog, prompting the helicopter pilot to make an emergency landing to ensure the safety of everyone on board.

“Kapag oras mo na, oras mo na talaga. Salamat sa Diyos dahil sa kanyang pagprotekta sa amin. Gayunpaman, hindi ako takot na mamatay habang nagseserbisyo para sa mga Pilipino, lalo na sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan. Naniniwala ako na isang malaking karangalan ang mabuhay at mamatay na nagsisilbi para sa bayan,” Go said.

“Gaya ng sinabi ko noon, isang beses lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung anumang kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa ay gawin na natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito. Iyan naman ang totoo. Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Diyos!,” he added.

Despite what happened, Go remained committed to bringing essential healthcare services closer to the Filipino people and still delivered his speech via video call.

“Maraming salamat po sa inyo dahil sa pagkakataon na inyong ibinigay sa akin upang makapag serbisyo sa inyo. Hinding hindi ko po sasayangin ang pagkakataon na binigay ninyo sa akin. Iyan lang po ang maiaalay ko sa inyo, ang aking kasipagan sa pagserbisyo,” Go said.

Go cited that Super Health Centers can significantly help reduce hospital occupancy rates while bringing primary medical services closer to the grassroots. This healthcare facility offers primary care, medical consultation, and early disease detection, further strengthening the healthcare sector at the community level.

“Sa mga itinayo na Super Health Centers, nakita namin kung gaano kalaki ang naitutulong nito sa komunidad, lalo na sa rural areas. ‘Yun po ang layunin ng mga Super Health Centers, ang ilapit sa mamamayan ang serbisyong medikal ng gobyerno,” he further expressed.

Through the concerted efforts of Go, fellow lawmakers, the Department of Health (DOH) led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and local government units, adequate funding was allocated for establishing more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide, including 13 in Laguna.

Go also mentioned that he has been urging the DOH and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to act swiftly on releasing the long-overdue Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) of qualified health workers.

The Senator then also expressed gratitude to the provincial and local governments for their diligent efforts in making the Super Health Center a reality. He specifically thanked former Congressman Benjie Agarao, Congresswoman Jam Agarao, Governor Ramil Hernandez, Vice Governor Karen Agapay, Mayor Alberto Reyes, and Vice Mayor Ronald Sana, among others.

During the inauguration, a total of 80 barangay health workers (BHWs) and 210 local government unit employees received grocery packs, snacks, shirts, foldable fans, basketballs, and volleyballs.

Go, known as Mr. Malasakit and a health reform crusader, offered additional aid to individuals with medical needs and advised them to avail of the assistance provided at any of the Malasakit Centers within the province, specifically at the Laguna Medical Center in Sta. Cruz and San Pablo City General Hospital.

Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops for medical assistance programs aimed at helping impoverished patients reduce their hospital costs to the least possible amount. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.

As of now, 166 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The DOH reported that the Malasakit Centers program has already provided aid to over 15 million Filipinos.

As the vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go also supported various projects in Mabitac including the Construction of the Slaughterhouse and the Concreting of Barangay Matalatala farm to market road.

On the same day, Go attended the National Youth Commission (NYC) National Youth Convention at Nasugbu, Batangas, and the League of the Municipalities of the Philippines Bohol Chapter Year-End Assessment in Parañaque City.