Bong Go

Bong Go commends PRRD

July 1, 2022 People's Journal 284 views

For signing 30 measures improving existing and establishing new gov’t hospitals nationwide

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, commended former president Rodrigo Duterte for signing shortly before he stepped down 30 bills aimed at improving, developing, and establishing public hospitals in different parts of the country.

Go, who principally sponsored said bills, stressed the need to continue building on the progress made by the country to improve its healthcare system in light of the pandemic.

“As we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to outfit and improve our government health institutions,” said Go.

“Additionally, it is our duty as legislators to advocate for policies to remedy the inadequate facilities and equipment in our government hospitals, especially in these critical situations,” he added.

Among the hospital bills signed by Duterte include measures upgrading government health facilities sponsored by Go, such as increasing the bed capacity of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center in Baguio City; Ospital ng Palawan in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City, Davao del Norte; Gov. Faustino N. Dy, Sr. Memorial Hospital in Ilagan City, Isabela; Concepcion District Hospital in Concepcion, Tarlac; Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City, Negros Occidental; Unayan Municipal Hospital in Binidayan, Lanao del Sur; Balindong District Hospital in Wato-Balindong, Lanao del Sur; Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital in Tayug, Pangasinan; Laurel Memorial District Hospital in Tanauan City, Batangas; Ilocos Sur District Hospital in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur; Mangatarem District Hospital in Mangatarem, Pangasinan; Congressman Natalio O. Castillo, Sr. Memorial Hospital in Loon, Bohol; Roxas District Hospital in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro; Dr. Serapio B. Montaner, Jr. Memorial Hospital in Malabang, Lanao del Sur; Martin Marasigan Memorial Hospital in Cuenca, Batangas; and Lingayen District Hospital in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Bills converting the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City, Bohol to the Governor Celestino Gallares Multi-Specialty Medical Complex; and the Oriental Mindoro Central District Hospital in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro into a provincial hospital were also signed by the outgoing president.

Likewise, Duterte also signed bills upgrading the Lipa City District Hospital in Lipa City, Batangas into a Level II Hospital; Orani District Hospital in Orani, Bataan into a Level II General Hospital to be known as the Antonino “Tony” P. Roman Memorial Hospital; and the Novaliches District Hospital in Quezon City into a Level II Hospital.

Other bills enacted into law include measures establishing more and improved government hospitals, such as Ospital ng Meycauayan in Meycauayan, Bulacan; Iloilo City Hospital in Iloilo City; Liloan Children’s Hospital in Liloan, Cebu; Aklan Geriatric Medical Center in Kalibo, Aklan; Isaac Tolentino Memorial Medical Center in Tagaytay City, Cavite; Panabo City District Hospital in Panabo City, Davao del Norte; Lamidan Community Hospital in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental; and the Nuing Community Hospital in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.

Go has successfully sponsored 69 laws in the 18th Congress aimed at upgrading existing government hospitals and establishing new ones.

In his previous pronouncements, Go noted that the need to increase hospital bed capacity of most public hospitals has been a challenge during the public health crisis, prompting authorities to establish modular hospitals.

Thus, the senator stressed that improving health facilities and services in the provinces would help enhance the overall well-being of all Filipinos. He added that Filipino families must be able to enjoy easy access to responsive healthcare systems even in rural areas.

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