SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go lauded the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center in Barangay Poblacion I, Santiago, Agusan del Norte as he expressed his commitment to improving Filipinos’ access to high-quality healthcare services and constructing more public health facilities.

In a video message, Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, voiced his belief that the development of more Super Health Centers across the country will enable the government to assist more underprivileged Filipinos, particularly those living in rural areas.

“Layunin po ng mga centers na ito na mas ilapit pa sa ating mga kababayan ang mga serbisyong medikal ng gobyerno, lalo na sa mga nasa liblib na lugar at pinaka nangangailangan ng mga ito,” explained Go.

“Sa pamamagitan nito, hindi na nila kailangang pumunta sa mga malalaking ospital na kadalasan ay nasa mga syudad kung wala namang malalang sakit,” he added.

The Super Health Center, according to Go, is an upgraded version of the rural health unit. It will have a pharmacy, birthing rooms, out-patient department, dental services, and other minor services in addition to laboratory facilities, minor operating and emergency rooms, and other services.

The senator previously stated that with the budget allocated in the 2022 Health Facilities Enhancement Program, the government will be able to build 307 Super Health Centers across the country this year. He hopes that additional funding will be included in the 2023 health budget so that the government can build more especially in other grassroots communities.

“Sabi ko nga, now is the time to really invest in our healthcare system. Umaasa ako na ito ang huling pandemya sa ating buhay pero ang totoo hindi natin alam kung kailan darating ang susunod,” expressed Go.

“Talaga pong nabigla ang ating healthcare nung dumating ang pandemya kaya naman pursigido po talaga ako na palakasin pa po ito sa abot ng aking makakaya. Dapat po talaga palagi tayong one-step ahead,” he continued.

Meanwhile. Senator Go and his team spearheaded a three-day relief operation in Iba, Zambales to deliver assistance to struggling residents from November 14 to 16.

Mounted at the People’s Park, the series of activities was kick-started by Go’s team on the first day where they provided aid to 1,000 struggling residents.

The senator, together with Senator Robinhood Padilla, then took time to personally visit and lead the distribution effort on the second day, November 15, where another set of a thousand residents was given assistance.

Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, in turn, extended financial aid through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program to further help them recover from the challenges brought by the pandemic.

“Sabi ni Governor (Jun Ebdane) kanina, malaking tulong po itong matatanggap ninyo sa inyo ngayong araw na ito. Dalahin n’yo po sa inyong mga pamilya dahil nasa gitna pa tayo ng krisis.

Importante po pagkain, baon sa inyong mga anak. Dalahin n’yo po sa inyong mga pamilya ang inyong matatanggap ngayong araw na ito,” reminded Go, who is an adopted son of Iba, during his speech.

The senator, who heads the Senate committee on health and demography, also visited and inspected the newly constructed Iba Super Health Center, which is one of the 307 being constructed under the 2022 budget that Go also pushed for as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance.

Aside from Iba, Super Health Centers in Zambales will also be established in Botolan, Castillejos, and Mayantoc.

The senator also made time to inspect the construction progress of Iba town’s new municipal building, which he supported the funding of in the previous years.