Bringing services closer to communities, Bong Go visits Moises Padilla to inspect site for new Super Health Center and assist impoverished residents

In line with his ongoing efforts to bring essential services closer to the grassroots, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go visited Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, October 19, to inspect the site for a new Super Health Center and extend much-needed assistance to the town’s indigent residents.

“Kanina po marami ang nagpapasalamat sa akin dahil natulungan sila ng ating mga isinulong na programa. Pero sa totoo lang po, huwag po kayong magpasalamat sa akin. Ako po ang dapat na magpasalamat sa inyo dahil sa pagkakataon na inyong ibinigay sa akin upang makapagserbisyo sa inyo,” Go expressed, as he interacted with the locals.

He highlighted the importance of establishing health facilities such as Super Health Centers which he initiated and advocated for to further improve healthcare access, particularly in remote areas, as part of his ongoing commitment to public health.

“Sa mga itinayo na Super Health Centers, nakita namin kung gaano kalaki ang naitutulong nito sa komunidad, lalo na sa rural areas. ‘Yun po ang layunin ng mga Super Health Centers, ang ilapit sa mamamayan ang serbisyong medikal ng gobyerno,” he added, emphasizing the centers’ crucial role in decongesting hospitals and making primary healthcare services readily available in underserved communities.

These Super Health Centers will play a pivotal role in early disease detection, medical consultation, and providing primary care, thereby strengthening community-based healthcare services. The initiative, spearheaded by Go alongside fellow lawmakers, the Department of Health (DOH) under Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and local government units, is steadily making progress.

Since 2022, funding has been allocated for over 700 Super Health Centers nationwide, including 31 in Negros Occidental.

Go expressed his gratitude to the local government for their collaboration in turning the project into reality. In particular, he thanked Mayor Ella Yulo, along with other local officials, for their tireless efforts in supporting the health center’s development.

Following the site inspection, Go, accompanied by his Malasakit Team, distributed aid to a total of 937 beneficiaries at the Brgy. Guinpana-an Covered Court. The beneficiaries received essential support packages, including food packs, snacks, vitamins, masks, shirts, as well as sports items such as basketballs and volleyballs. Additionally, several residents were given shoes, mobile phones, bicycles, and watches.

Earlier that day, his Malasakit Team also provided assistance to more than a thousand residents from various sectors, as well as beneficiaries from the Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RPFP) program, and ashfall victims.

Through the partnership of Senator Go with the local government of Moises Padilla led by Mayor Yulo, financial support was also extended to selected indigent families, further easing their day-to-day struggles.

Go then provided additional support to individuals with medical needs, encouraging them to seek further help from the Malasakit Center at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City. The senator, principal author of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, proudly emphasized that these centers are designed to reduce the financial burden on patients by consolidating various medical assistance programs into one facility.

To date, 166 Malasakit Centers have been established nationwide, offering medical assistance to over 15 million Filipinos, according to DOH reports.

As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also championed infrastructure projects aimed at improving public services in the province. This includes the construction of, multi-purpose public facilities, road maintenance efforts, as well as building of multi-purpose structures in various towns. Furthermore, he supported the establishment of an infectious diseases wing at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City.

Go also co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11564, which established the Bacolod City General Hospital. This law, signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2021, underscores Go’s relentless efforts to enhance healthcare services across the country.

“Sana po’y maalala ninyo… minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano man ang kabutihan na puwede nating ibigay sa ating kapwa, gawin na natin ngayon,” Go said in closing, reminding the audience of his commitment to public service and faith in the power of collective compassion.

On the same day, Go conducted another site inspection for a new Super Health Center in La Castellana, where he similarly provided aid to the town’s impoverished residents. He capped off his day in Pontevedra, where he was declared an adopted son of the municipality, assisting hundreds of locals and attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a road project, which he supported.

“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” underscored Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.* (SBG SMP)