PROMOTING HEALTH, PROTECTING LIVES IN BICOL: BONG GO INSPECTS NEW SUPER HEALTH CENTER AND VISITS EVACUATION FACILITY IN LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go continued his commitment to enhancing healthcare access and disaster preparedness in the Bicol region with a visit to a new Super Health Center and multipurpose evacuation center in Legazpi City, Albay, on Friday, July 26.

During his visit to the Super Health Center being constructed in Barangay Homapon, Go, who is an adopted son of Legazpi City, engaged with the local leaders and residents to assess the facility as well as provide support and various forms of aid such as food packs to community health workers present.

“Ang ating layunin ay malinaw – siguraduhin na ang bawat Pilipino, lalo na sa mga liblib na lugar, ay may access sa dekalidad na serbisyong medikal,” Go stated.

Committed to championing the establishment of more health facilities nationwide, Go aims to enhance healthcare access by providing primary care, consultations, and early disease detection services at the community level through these Super Health Centers.

Through the efforts of Go as Chair of the Senate Health Committee and Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, in collaboration with fellow legislators, the Department of Health led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and various local government units, substantial funding has been allocated to establish over 700 Super Health Centers across the country, with seven located in Albay.

“Patuloy po akong tutulong sa pagpaparami ng Super Health Centers sa bansa sa abot po ng aking makakaya. Sa mga itinayong 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 added.

Earlier, Go expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his pledge in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) to increase the number of Super Health Centers nationwide especially in geographically and economically challenged communities.

“Isa ito sa matagal na nating ipinaglalaban na mapondohan para mailapit ang pangunahing serbisyo medikal sa mga mahihirap,” Go said.

The initiative for Super Health Centers was initially pushed by Go a year prior to the Marcos administration. This early advocacy laid the groundwork for the rollout of these centers, which are now being significantly expanded under the current government.

Following his inspection of the Super Health Center, Go also visited the two-story multipurpose evacuation center in the city. This project, initiated by PAGCOR during the tenure of former President Rodrigo Duterte, supported by Go, and completed on January 14, 2022, is designed to provide a safe haven for residents during disasters.

Reflecting on the importance of the evacuation center, Go remarked, “Ang ating pagtutulungan at malasakit sa isa’t isa ang magliligtas ng buhay sa panahon ng sakuna. Itong proyektong ito ay patunay ng ating dedikasyon sa kaligtasan ng bawat mamamayan.”

Amid the recent calamity that hit various parts of the country, Go emphasized the necessity of improving disaster resilience efforts. He continues to push for SBN 2451, known as the Ligtas Pinoy Centers bill which he co-sponsored and is one of its authors in the Senate. This proposed legislation aims to establish permanent and fully equipped mandatory evacuation centers nationwide.

“Kung maisabatas, hindi na magsisiksikan pa sa temporary shelters ang mga kababayan natin sa oras na may sakuna. Dapat ay malinis, maayos, at komportable ang tutuluyan ng mga kababayan natin para hindi magkasakit. Hindi na rin mahihirapan pa ang mga mamamayang naghihirap na,” he said.

Go also filed Senate Bill No. 188 that aims to create the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR). If enacted into law, the proposed new department should concentrate on three significant areas: disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response, and recovery and better building progress.

“Kung saka-sakaling maisabatas, magkakaroon po ng departamentong nakatutok na may cabinet-secretary level na timon. Hindi lang coordinating council o task force. Ibig sabihin, ito na po ang makikipag-coordinate bago dumating ang bagyo, preposition of goods, and coordination with LGUs para ilikas po ang mga kababayan natin sa ligtas na lugar. At pag-alis ng bagyo ay restoration of normalcy kaagad at rehabilitation efforts para tuluy-tuloy po silang makabangon,” he explained.

Go’s visit highlights the government’s commitment to health and safety, ensuring that facilities like these are not only built but also well-equipped and properly maintained to serve their purpose effectively.

In the past years, Go also supported other projects throughout the province, including the construction of multipurpose buildings in Ligao City, Oas and Polangui; rehabilitation of several roads in Camalig, Daraga, Jovellar, Legazpi City, Ligao City, Pio Duran and Rapu-Rapu; and rehabilitation of flood control systems in Malilipot, Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Malinao, Manito, Oas and Polangui.

Go concluded his address by reaffirming his commitment to service: “Ako na inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go, ay patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat. Naniniwala po ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo rin po yan sa Diyos. At ito po ang aking natatanging bisyo, ang magserbisyo sa aking kapwa Pilipino sa abot ng aking makakaya.”

During his visit, Go also assisted indigents and displaced workers in the city. He concluded the day by attending the closing ceremonies of the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games which he supported as Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, together with the Philippine Sports Commission.