IMPROVING HEALTH FACILITIES IN COMMUNITIES: BONG GO LAUDS SENATE’S APPROVAL OF LUCENA CITY HOSPITAL BILL ON THIRD AND FINAL READING

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, commended the Senate approval of the proposed Lucena City Hospital bill on its third and final reading on Monday, December 16. As the principal sponsor of the measure, Senator Go underscored its significance in improving healthcare access in Lucena City, Quezon Province, and neighboring areas.

House Bill No. 8214, which seeks to establish a general hospital in Lucena City under the Department of Health (DOH), aims to bring critical health services closer to communities in the region. It also aligns with the Universal Health Care Act to ensure accessible and quality healthcare for all Filipinos.

“Isa na namang hakbang patungo sa mas maayos at abot-kayang serbisyong pangkalusugan para sa ating mga kababayan. Kung naisabatas, ito ay magbibigay ng mas malapit na serbisyong medikal sa mga taga-Quezon at kalapit na lugar,” Senator Go said.

The proposed facility will reduce the need for patients to travel long distances to access quality healthcare, particularly for those requiring urgent or specialized treatment.

“Alam natin ang hirap kapag malayo ang ospital, lalo na sa mga emergency na kaso. Dapat walang pamilyang nangangamba kung saan dadalhin ang kanilang mahal sa buhay kapag kailangang-kailangan,” Senator Go added.

The senator emphasized that the new hospital will not only improve healthcare access but also enhance the local healthcare system by creating jobs for medical professionals and supporting staff.

“Makakatulong din ito sa ating mga healthcare workers na magkaroon ng oportunidad sa kanilang propesyon nang hindi na kailangang lumayo sa kanilang mga pamilya,” he noted.

Under the bill, the hospital will be funded through the annual General Appropriations Act and will operate under the direct supervision of the Department of Health. Future expansions, including increases in bed capacity, facilities, and personnel, will be guided by a development plan aligned with national health reform initiatives.

“Patuloy nating sinusuportahan ang mga ganitong proyekto dahil naniniwala tayo na ang kalusugan ay katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he remarked.

This legislative effort is part of Senator Go’s broader health agenda, which includes the establishment of more Malasakit Centers nationwide, improvements in public hospital facilities, and stronger support for other health programs.

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. He also principally sponsored and is one of the authors of RA 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of specialty centers within existing Department of Health regional hospitals.

To bring primary care, medical consultation and early disease detection closer to communities, Go also pushed for the establishment of more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide, including 18 in Quezon province through his collective efforts together with the DOH, LGUs and fellow lawmakers.

So far, Go has authored 16 laws, principally sponsored 80 laws including 78 measures for the establishment or upgrade of public hospitals, and served as co-author or co-sponsor for 185 laws so far.

“Hindi po tayo tumitigil sa ating pagsisikap na mas mailapit ang mas maayos na serbisyo sa bawat Pilipino lalo na pagdating sa kalusugan at kabuhayan. Bilang inyong Mr. Malasakit, patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo, at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Diyos,” he ended.