Bong Go supports increase in DOH budget: ‘Learn from pandemic experience’

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Christopher “Bong” Go called for the healthcare system to be further strengthened during the public hearing on the proposed 2023 budget of the Department of Health on Monday, October 3.

During the hearing, Go, who chairs the Committee on Health and Demography, emphasized the importance of the DOH’s 2023 budget for the country’s recovery from the pandemic as he renewed his call for increased funding for the improvement of the healthcare system.

For one, Go said there is a need to capacitate and properly compensate the health workforce in order to strengthen the country’s healthcare capacity.

“They have been our frontliners in our COVID-19 response. And, before I forget, maraming salamat po sa inyong sakripisyo, sa panahon ng pandemya until now. Lahat ng mga healthcare workers natin, hanggang sa mga department officials na nagduduty, nagsasakripisyo sa panahon ng pandemya, at sa lahat po ng kasama sa IATF,” he expressed.

To accomplish this, Go pointed out that the government must ensure funding for the allowances included in Republic Act No. 11712, or the Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances for Health Care Workers. Go noted that the DOH has allotted a budget of PhP19.9 Billion which can cover the benefits for three months.

“We must find a way to provide enough funding for this. We must also ensure funding for the health workers hired due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

Go also stressed the need to upgrade public hospitals especially as indigent patients rely on them.

“Mahalaga rin po sa akin na patuloy nating i-upgrade ang ating mga pampublikong ospital na karamihan naman ay mahihirap po ang pumupunta. Sa dami nga ng pumupunta sa mga pampublikong ospital, hindi na po nagkakasya ang mga pasyente. Ako po ay witness dito,” shared the senator.

Additionally, the senator said that adequate funding must be set aside for the upgrade and establishment of new public hospitals, such as the Joni Villanueva General Hospital in Bocaue, Bulacan. He then requested support from the DOH for the said hospital, and all other new hospitals especially those enacted into law which Go sponsored in the 18th Congress.

“Ito naman pong mga government hospitals, kadalasan talaga ay mahihirap naman yung pumupunta. Hindi naman po pumupunta yung mga mayayaman dun po sa mga (pampublikong) ospital,” noted Go.

“Ulitin ko lang po, huwag nating sayangin yung mga pinaghirapan natin sa Kongreso na naipasa. ‘Yung mga bagong ospital, tulad ng Joni Villanueva General Hospital, at iba pang mga ospital na naipasa. Baka po, pakisilip ninyo lang, pakitingnan ninyo po ng mabuti para magamit po ito, lalung lalo na po ngayon na nasa pandemya pa tayo,” he added.

The chair of the Committee on Health assured the DOH that he is willing to help with said undertaking. Go shared that his committee, during the previous Congress, was able to pass 69 laws providing for the improvement and establishment of various public hospitals all over the country.

Related to this, Go also mentioned that the government must ensure enough funding for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program and the continued funding for Super Health Centers which he pushed in this year’s budget.

“Sabi nga po ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos sa kanyang unang State of the Nation Address, kailangan ‘mailapit natin ang health care system sa taumbayan nang hindi sila kailangang pumunta sa sentro ng kanilang bayan, lalawigan o rehiyon,’” said Go.

Aside from addressing requirements in terms of healthcare facilities, equipment, and human resources, Go mentioned the need for increasing funding for programs that directly provide medical financial assistance to indigent patients.

It is for this reason, said Go, that he passed Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act last Congress to ensure easier access of patients to government assistance. We must ensure continued operations of the Malasakit Centers.

Meanwhile, Go also emphasized the critical role that Super Health Centers, some of which have already been constructed in key locations in the country, play in filling the gap in areas where hospitals are lacking.

“Kaya nga tayo nagpapatayo ng mga Super Health Centers sa mga strategic areas, dahil marami pang mga munisipyo na kulang talaga ang pasilidad. Wala silang rural health unit,” said Go.

During the hearing, Go also noted the increase in the subsidy given to state insurer PhilHealth for its benefits improvement. However, he noted that funding for specialty hospitals such as the Lung Center, Heart Center and National Kidney and Transplant Institute decreased. He then recommended for the provision of additional funds and support for these hospitals to ensure full operation.

“Ito pong malalaking ospital ang pinaka-pinupuntahan ng ating mahihirap na kababayan, kaya dapat masuportahan ang patuloy na pag-improve ng kanilang serbisyo. Ang dami po. Ang dami pong pumipila doon, ang daming humihingi ng tulong, even sa aking opisina, araw-araw yan,” shared Go.

Go also advocated for increased focus and funding for the fight against other illnesses like cancer, tuberculosis, and mental health disorders, noting that the pandemic has left many Filipinos with mental health issues.

As for the fight against cancer, he noted that extra funding was allocated in 2022 for assistance to cancer patients and suggested for the same in next year’s budget.

Finally, while the country continues to vaccinate Filipinos against COVID-19, Go said that the government must also continue paying attention to the immunization of Filipinos against vaccine-preventable diseases like polio and measles.

“Mahirap kung magkaroon ng outbreak, kaya hindi natin dapat pabayaan ang ating immunization program lalo na po para po ito sa mga kabataan,” he noted.

Go then endorsed the additional funding for the DOH as he urged its officials to ensure that the funds are properly utilized. He also asked them to ensure that COVID-19 shots purchased by the country will not go to waste by intensifying its vaccination campaign.

“At tulad ng lagi kong paalala sa lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno, siguraduhin natin na magastos ang pondo sa tama at naaayon sa batas, lalung-lalo na po yung mga mahihirap ang dapat makinabang dito,” urged Go.

“Let me remind lang po sa ating Department of Health officials, mga bakuna natin, wag masayang. Suyurin pa natin sa mga malalayong lugar,” he added.

To conclude, Go expressed confidence that Sen. Pia Cayetano, who chaired the hearing and is also a vice chairperson of the Committee on Health, will be able to defend the proposed budget of the DOH, saying, “I know as a fellow health advocate, maisusulong at maipaglalaban mo ang napakahalagang budget ng DOH. Nandirito lang po ako, susuporta sa inyo.”