Bong Go wants enhanced local healthcare access; opens new centers in Anilao, Iloilo

Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, personally attended the inauguration of the new Super Health Center in Barangay Poblacion, Anilao, Iloilo on Tuesday, May 21. Go’s visit coincided with his attendance of the 2nd Rose Festival in the said town.

During the event, Go highlighted the significant role that Super Health Centers play in bringing government services closer to the grassroots, thereby elevating healthcare standards at the community level.

Go explained that the primary goal of these centers is to bridge the gap between the government and communities, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

“Pwede na po rito ang check-up, Konsulta package ng PhilHealth kasi lahat naman ng Pilipino ay miyembro ng PhilHealth. Dito na ang primary care mula sa Universal Health Care, dito na ang early disease detection para hindi lumala yung sakit,” said Go.

“Madi-decongest ang hospital dahil dito na kayo pwede magpagamot at pati rin manganak. Dental, laboratory, x-ray, ultrasound dito na po,” he added.

Super Health Centers are designed to alleviate the burden on hospitals and ensure that healthcare is more readily available to those in need within their localities by providing a range of services, from early disease detection to essential medical services.

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 27 in Iloilo province.

Meanwhile, Go thanked government officials Rep. Ferj Biron, Rep. Jojo Ang, Governor Arthur Defensor Jr, Anilao Mayor Lee Ann Debuque, Vice Mayor Matet Debuque, San Enrique Mayor and President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Iloilo Chapter Trixie Fernandez, and Board Member and Liga President Province of Iloilo Amalia Victoria Debuque, among others, for their support and continued service to their constituents.

In his speech, Congressman Biron praised Go for his significant contributions to healthcare in the district, particularly for his support in upgrading the Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo to a 300-bed, Level III medical facility.

Acknowledging the efforts of local government officials and thanking Go for his continual support, Rep. Biron emphasized the community’s gratitude and the need for ongoing support for Go’s initiatives.

“Lubos tayong nagpapasalamat sa kanyang suporta. Hindi lamang sa Anilao, kundi pati na rin sa iba pang bahagi ng ating distrito,” he said.

Mayor Debuque also expressed profound gratitude to Go for his unwavering dedication and substantial contributions to the town’s healthcare services. She highlighted the senator’s impactful visit two years ago, which initiated significant improvements.

“Una po siyang nakilala dalawang taon lang na nakalipas nang siya ay bumisita sa ating bayan,” she recounted. The mayor praised Go’s swift actions following his visit, which led to the rapid funding of Anilao’s Super Health Center.

Meanwhile, Go also provided grocery packs, snacks, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball to the barangay health workers present during the event.

Moreover, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, offered additional help to Ilonggos in need of medical assistance through the Malasakit Centers in the province.

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. According to the DOH, 165 operational centers have helped more or less ten million Filipinos nationwide so far.

Malasakit Centers in Iloilo are located at West Visayas State University Medical Center and Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City. Other provinces Malasakit Centers are at Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo, Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital in Santa Barbara.

To further help create more opportunities for the province, Go supported various projects, including the construction of multipurpose buildings in Barotac Viejo, the completion of various barangay health stations throughout Iloilo City, and the construction of a multipurpose building for the Iloilo City Public Market.

Other significant initiatives he supported include the concreting or construction of roads in Badiangan, Banate, Carles, Dumangas, Lemery, Miag-ao, and Sara; completion of the barangay health stations in Leon; construction of a flood control system in Balasan; construction of a seawall in Banate; construction of the legislative building in San Dionisio; and improvement of the public parks in Dueñas, among others.

“Tandaan natin, minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa ating kapwa ay gawin na natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” reminded the senator.

“Ako ang inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go, patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat dahil bisyo ko na ang magserbisyo at ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po yan sa Diyos,” added Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service for the poor.