SUPER HEALTH CENTER IN LUMBAN, LAGUNA INAUGURATED AS BONG GO ADVOCATES FOR ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE IN THE GRASSROOTS

To bring essential healthcare services closer to communities, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, an adopted son of CALABARZON, led the inauguration of a new Super Health Center in Lumban, Laguna on Tuesday, December 17.

During the event, Senator Go was also honored as an adopted son of Lumban, Laguna, in recognition of his unwavering support to serve the Filipino people.

He expressed his gratitude to Lumban local officials for their trust and support, including Mayor Rolando Ubatay, Vice Mayor Belen Raga, and members of the local council, among others.

Furthermore, Senator Go stated his deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve and reaffirmed his dedication to improving the lives of the Filipino people.

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

“Minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa, gawin na natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito. Iyan po ang totoo,” he added.

Senator Go further mentioned his dedication to serve the people. “Naniniwala po ako na kung panahon mo na sa mundong ito, panahon mo na. Diyos lang ang may alam. Kaya hindi po ako takot na mamatay. Isa pong karangalan na mamatay habang nagseserbisyo sa kapwa.”

Senator Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, underscored the importance of building more Super Health Centers as part of his commitment to strengthening the country’s healthcare system, particularly in grassroots communities.

Super Health Centers aim to reduce hospital congestion by providing essential medical services such as primary care, consultations, and early disease detection. These facilities are designed to serve as accessible, community-based healthcare hubs, enabling residents to receive timely and affordable medical assistance.

Through the collaborative efforts of Senator Go, fellow lawmakers, the Department of Health (DOH) led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and local government units, sufficient funding has been allocated for the construction of over 700 Super Health Centers across the country, with 13 located in Laguna.

Furthermore, according to the DOH, 323 centers have already been constructed and are operational so far, bringing much-needed healthcare services closer to Filipinos who need them the most.

Additionally, a total of 139 Barangay Health Workers, Super Health Center staff, and Barangay Nutrition Scholars were provided with various forms of assistance through the combined efforts of Senator Go and the local government during the event. The support included grocery packs, snacks, shirts, and fans. Meanwhile, select recipients received basketballs and volleyballs.

Also, there were 135 displaced workers present who received similar support plus transport fare from Senator Go.

As Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Go has also championed various development initiatives and infrastructure projects in Lumban. These include the construction of a multi-purpose building in the New Government Center, improvements in Barangay Maracta, and the installation of street lights in Lewin-Caliraya, among others.

“Ako ang inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go na patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aking makakaya. Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos,” the Senator ended.

In addition to the Super Health Center inauguration, Senator Go also attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Lumban Municipal Hall, further highlighting his continued support for local government initiatives.

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Jo Eurolfan De Leon
Bong Go welcomes PhilHealth’s expanded benefits for 2025 but reminds the state health insurer to fulfill all pending reforms

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and a known health reforms crusader, lauded the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Board’s recent approval of its PHP 284 billion Corporate Operating Budget (COB) for Fiscal Year 2025. The budget reflects a 10% increase from the previous year and includes significant improvements in coverage and benefits.

Among the highlights of the approved budget are a 50% increase in selected case rates, additional funding for emergency care, outpatient services for mental health, severe acute malnutrition, Z benefits, and extended hemodialysis sessions capped at 156 sessions per patient at PHP 6,350 per session. Other key improvements include expanded PhilHealth Konsulta capitation rates of PHP 1,700 to PHP 2,100 per person and optometric services for children.

Senator Go expressed his appreciation for the Board’s efforts, led by Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, to address critical gaps in healthcare access. However, he reminded PhilHealth of its many pending commitments to fully meet the needs of Filipino patients.

“Hindi po natin maitatanggi na malaking bagay ang mga benepisyong ito para sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa mga naghihirap na pasyente. Pero huwag nating kalimutan ang mga pangako nila dati na hindi pa naipapatupad nang buo,” Senator Go emphasized.

“Mahalaga na siguraduhin nila na itong mga benepisyong inaprubahan ay talagang maabot at maramdaman ng bawat Pilipinong nangangailangan,” he added.

Senator Go acknowledged the substantial improvements in PhilHealth’s programs, particularly the extended benefits for outpatient care and hemodialysis. He said the reforms are timely, considering the rising healthcare costs burdening Filipino families.

“Marami po ang umaasa sa PhilHealth para mabawasan ang gastusin nila sa pagpapagamot. Kaya itong pagtaas ng case rates at pagdagdag sa mga sessions sa hemodialysis ay malaking tulong para sa mga kababayan nating may malubhang sakit,” Senator Go said.

Still, Senator Go emphasized the need to accelerate reforms that address lingering issues in PhilHealth’s policies and its responsiveness to public needs. He called attention to outdated and anti-poor policies that were recently scrapped but had remained in place for too long.

“Hindi po biro ang hirap na dinanas ng maraming pamilya dahil sa mga polisiya na hindi patas at walang silbi. Halimbawa, yung dati na hindi ka puwedeng ma-cover ng PhilHealth kung nagkasakit ka ulit ng parehong sakit sa loob ng 90 araw. Kalokohan po ‘yun. Buti na lang natanggal na iyon kamakailan lamang,” Senator Go explained.

He urged PhilHealth to also focus on removing the 24-hour confinement requirement, which forces patients to be admitted before receiving coverage.

“Huwag na nating hintayin pang magpa-confine ang pasyente. Ang mahal ng kwarto sa ospital. Sana magamit na lang yung pondo para diretsong pambili ng gamot,” Senator Go added.

While applauding the expanded benefits, Senator Go reiterated the importance of maximizing PhilHealth’s funds to benefit Filipinos. He cited the agency’s massive reserve funds, which he previously criticized for being underutilized while many Filipinos struggled with high out-of-pocket expenses.

“Ang laki ng pondong hawak ng PhilHealth, pero bakit parang kulang pa rin ang nararamdaman ng taumbayan? Kailangan nilang bilisan ang implementasyon ng mga benepisyo para hindi matulog ang pondo,” Senator Go stressed.

He also reminded PhilHealth that the agency’s funds, sourced from public contributions, must be spent wisely and transparently.

“Pera po ng taumbayan ‘yan. Hindi natin pwedeng hayaang matulog o mawala nang hindi napapakinabangan. PhilHealth po ‘yan, dapat para sa health ng Pilipino ang bawat pisong hawak nila,” he said.

Senator Go urged PhilHealth to provide concrete updates on all promised reforms during the Senate hearing. He highlighted previous commitments, including increasing case rates, expanding benefit packages, and reviewing policies to ensure that healthcare access becomes more inclusive.

He added that while the 2025 COB is a step in the right direction, it must be coupled with accountability and swift action to address healthcare gaps.

“Hindi po pwedeng puro plano lang o salita. Tulad nga ng sinabi ko dati, huwag puro promise. Ang gusto ng mga tao, resulta. Yung mga benepisyo na talagang mararamdaman nila,” Senator Go said.

Senator Go reiterated that PhilHealth’s reforms must prioritize indigent patients and those seeking treatment in public hospitals, where resources are often stretched thin.

“Ang PhilHealth po, para sa mga mahihirap na nangangailangan ng tulong. Kung nasa pampublikong ospital ang pasyente, dapat ramdam nila na may suporta ang gobyerno sa kanila,” Senator Go said.

He also stressed that healthcare access is a fundamental right and that government assistance must be delivered without any political considerations.

“Walang lugar ang pulitika sa pagbibigay ng serbisyong pangkalusugan. Ang pera ng gobyerno ay pera ng taumbayan. Dapat lahat ay makinabang nang patas at walang pinipili,” Senator Go concluded.