Senator witnesses Super Health Center groundbreaking in Pangantucan, Bukidnon

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go underscored the importance of investing more in the country’s healthcare system as he personally witnessed the groundbreaking of Pangantucan Super Health Center in Bukidnon.

In his speech, Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, gave recognition to the Department of Health and fellow lawmakers such as Senate President Migz Zubiri who is from Bukidnon, for exerting efforts not only towards pandemic recovery but also in enhancing the country’s healthcare system to be more prepared for possible future health crises.

He also acknowledged local officials, including Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Roque, Pangantucan Mayor Miguel Silva Jr., Vice Mayor Manolito Garces, and Congresswoman Laarni Roque, among others, for working hand-in-hand in making certain that their constituents receive affordable and accessible medical services.

“Napansin ko kasi sa kakaikot ko sa Pilipinas, napansin ko sa 4th class, sa 5th class, 6th class municipalities na walang sariling Super Health Center. Ang pasyente na mga buntis minsan bi-biyahe ng ilang oras. Nanganganak na lang sa jeep, tricycle o sasakyan dahil sa sobrang layo ng mga ospital. Ngayon itong Super Health Center pwede na ang dental services,” explained Go.

“At pwede na natin mapaigting ang ating pagpapabakuna hindi lang sa Covid, pati na sa tigdas at iba pang sakit… ‘yung iba ayaw magpabakuna dahil malalayo ng mga health center. Mapapaigting pa natin ang pagpapabakuna sa komunidad dahil sa Super Health Centers,” he added.

Super Health Centers offer basic health services such as database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation center and telemedicine, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients will be done.

Through Go’s efforts as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and with the support of his fellow lawmakers both in the Lower House and in the Senate, sufficient funds had been allocated under the 2022 Health Facilities Enhancement Program for the construction of some 307 Super Health Centers. He was likewise successful in pushing for additional funds under the 2023 budget to support the construction of 322 SHCs in other parts of the country.

After the inauguration, Go personally led a relief operation for the marginalized sector of the town at the municipal covered court.

A total of 500 indigents received grocery packs, masks, vitamins, shirts, and snacks, from the senator. Meanwhile, select beneficiaries were likewise given bicycles, cellular phones, shoes, watches, caps, and balls for basketball and volleyball.

“Bukod sa Health, ako rin po ang Chair ng Committee on Sports (kaya ang) advocacy ko ay health and sports. Gusto ko pong ipagpatuloy ang kampanya ni (dating) pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte na labanan ang kriminalidad at ilegal na droga sa pamamagitan ng pag-eengganyo sa mga kabataan to get into sports and stay away from drugs. Gusto ko pong ilayo ang mga kabataan sa ilegal na droga. Kaya namimigay ako ng mga bola ng basketball at volleyball sa mga bata,” cited Go.

Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development also extended financial assistance.

The senator then encouraged residents to seek the assistance of the Malasakit Center at Bukidnon Provincial Hospital in Maramag should they need medical assistance.

A brainchild of Go, the Malasakit Centers program provides for one-stop shops where all concerned agencies, including the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office are brought together under one roof to ensure medical assistance programs are within reach of poor and indigent Filipinos. The program was institutionalized under the Malasakit Centers Act, which Go primarily authored and sponsored.

Since the first Malasakit Center was established in 2018, there are now 155 centers that have assisted millions of Filipinos nationwide.

“Huwag po kayong magpasalamat sa amin ni (dating) pangulong Duterte dahil trabaho namin ‘yan. Sa totoo lang po kami ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan n’yo po kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyo. Maraming salamat sa inyo. Hindi namin sasayangin ang inyong (suporta)… walang oras na masasayang. Ako, sanay ako sa trabaho… Magtatrabaho lang ako para sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya,” Go reassured.

On the same day, Go also visited the city of Davao where he personally spearheaded a relief operation for flood victims.