SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go remains dedicated to improve the health sector and aid disadvantaged students as he and Sen. Robinhood “Robin” Padilla visited Atimonan, Quezon to witness the groundbreaking of the town’s Super Health Center and personally provide support to some college students.

Held at Barangay Zone 1, Poblacion, the two senators joined the groundbreaking ceremony of the Atimonan Super Health Center.

In his speech, Go, who heads the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, cited that his support for the establishment of Super Health Centers is part of his commitment to ensure that vulnerable sectors have more convenient access to quality yet affordable healthcare services, especially in rural areas.

“Itong mga Super Health Centers na ito, layunin po talaga na mas ilapit sa ating mga kababayan ang mga serbisyong medikal ng gobyerno, lalo na po sa mga liblib na lugar, para hindi niyo na po kailangan lumayo pa,” explained Go.

“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 dadating ang susunod,” he added.

The senator was instrumental in pushing for necessary funding in the 2022 Health Facilities Enhancement Program that will be used for the construction of 305 Super Health Centers nationwide.

These centers will offer various health services, such as database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and 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.

In addition to the Super Health Center in Atimonan, centers will be established in Agdangan, Alabat, Catanauan, Dolores, Gumaca, Infanta, Lopez, Mauban and Perez. Earlier that day, Go and Padilla likewise joined the groundbreaking of a Super Health Center in Tagkawayan.

“Magkakaroon po kayo ng 11 na Super Health Centers (dito). Magkasama po kami ni Gov. Helen Tan sa Kongreso noong 18th Congress. Siya po ‘yung sa Lower House, Chairperson po ng Committee on Health, ako naman po ‘yung sa Senado. Nagtutulungan ho kami (kaya) hindi po maisakatuparan ito kung hindi po sa tulong ninyo,” Go expressed.

Following the groundbreaking, the two senators then personally spearheaded the distribution activity for 375 struggling students of Atimonan. They handed out vitamins, grocery packs, shirts, masks, and meals, and provided shoes, cellular phones, and watches to select individuals.

To encourage the youth to participate in sports and avoid illegal drugs and other vices, Go likewise provided bicycles and balls for basketball and volleyball. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, Go reiterated how sports can help eliminate criminal activities in the country.

“Para sa mga kabataan, mag-aral po kayong mabuti. Huwag niyo pong sayangin ang nasimulan ni dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na laban niya kontra kriminalidad. Mag-aral at lumayo sa masasamang bisyo. Mag-basketball na lang po kayo o kahit anong sports,” encouraged Go.

“Kayo po ang pag-asa ng ating bayan. Edukasyon po ang magiging susi niyo para sa magandang kinabukasan. Nagpapakahirap po ang inyong magulang para mabigyan kayo ng magandang edukasyon kaya huwag niyo po itong sayangin,” he added.

Furthermore, the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended educational assistance to the students.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go likewise extended his support to several road rehabilitations in the town.

Earlier that day, the two senators visited the town of Tagkawayan where they joined the launch of the 152nd Malasakit Center and the groundbreaking of a seven-story building inside Maria L. Eleazar General Hospital (MLEGH) compound, the groundbreaking of the town’s Super Health Center, and the distribution of assistance to more disadvantaged students.