Senator Christopher “Bong” Go welcomed the signing into law of the Regional Specialty Centers Act. The legislation, which Go principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate, aims to bring specialized medical care closer to the grassroots by establishing specialty centers in existing regional hospitals.
The measure is one of the priority measures of the current administration as manifested in President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s first two State of the Nation Addresses.
“Walang Pilipino ang dapat mapag-iwanan pagdating sa kalusugan,” Go said. “Isang malaking hakbang ito patungo sa mas abot-kamay na serbisyong pangkalusugan para sa bawat Pilipino, nasaan man sila sa bansa,” he added.
The legislation aims to create additional specialty centers all over the country to ensure that Filipinos have access to specialized medical services regardless which region they reside in.
The bill received a unanimous 24-0 vote in the Senate. “This unanimous support reflects the Act’s universal appeal and its potential to benefit every Filipino, regardless of their location or socio-economic status,” said Go.
“Nakakuha ito ng 24-0 na boto sa Senado dahil sa pagsang-ayon ng aking mga kasamahan na makakabuti ito para sa lahat at makakatulong sa mahihirap,” he added.
The law promises to bring specialized medical care closer to Filipinos, reducing the need for long and often costly trips to Manila for specialized treatments.
“Ngayon, ang ating mga kababayan na may malalang karamdaman ay hindi na kailangan pang pumunta sa Maynila para magpagamot sa mga specialty hospitals tulad ng Philippine Heart Center o Lung Center dahil magkakaroon na ng ganyang specialty center sa regional hospitals na malapit sa kanila,” Go added.
This is a significant step in decentralizing healthcare services, which have long been concentrated in the capital. This initiative also complements the ongoing operations of Malasakit Centers which Go initiated and principally authored and sponsored in the Senate, as well as the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide, which focus on primary care, consultation, and early detection of diseases.
According to Go who serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, the Regional Specialty Centers law also serves as a critical piece in the puzzle of universal healthcare in the Philippines.
“With the passage of the Universal Health Care Law in 2019 and the recent implementation of a PhilHealth benefit package that encourages primary care called Konsulta package, the Regional Specialty Centers Act adds another layer to the healthcare reform. It fills in the gaps in specialized medical care, making the dream of universal healthcare more attainable,” Go explained.
“Ang batas na ito ay simbolo ng ating pagkakaisa. Sa pamamagitan ng Regional Specialty Centers Act, tinatanggal natin ang mga hadlang sa kalusugan at dinadala ang serbisyong medikal mas malapit sa ating mga kababayan,” he concluded.