PH needs effective health care system – Bong Go

“With a population of over 100 million, the Philippines needs an effective healthcare system that will ensure that all its citizens have access to quality healthcare service, regardless of social class or geographic location,” former special assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said at the Gawad Galing Kalusugan ( GGK) 2018 awarding ceremony held recently at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium.

Recognizing the efforts of the 36 awardees from hospitals, health partners and public health workers, Go, guest speaker at the ceremony, also acknowledged the importance of volunteer health workers.

“I will also push for increasing the salaries of our nurses and providing more benefits for our barangay

[ village] health workers because they are essential in keeping citizens healthy. Our healthcare programs will only be effective if we also take care of our healthcare providers,” he said.

Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Sy- Alvarado said GGK is an expression of the heartfelt gratitude of the province to those who are working hard to have a healthier Bulacan.

The governor announced the efforts of the province to modernize and expand services offered by the Bulacan Medical Center.

“Almost one third of our budget [ went to] health programs, we built [ a] P260- million, 200- bed capacity hospital,” Alvarado said.

Meanwhile, Bulacan Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando believes that good health is more than any material wealth.

The GGK awarded the title Outstanding Government Hospital in Public Health Program Implementation to San Miguel District Hosptal, followed by Baliwag District Hospital as first runner- up and Rogaciano Mercado Memorial Hospital as second runner up.

Outstanding LGU Health Partners were City of San Jose del Monte, first place, San Ildefonso, second place, and Angat, third place, which took home P30,000, P20,000 and P10,000, respectively, along with a trophy.

For individual awards, Dr. Roselle Tolentino from City of San Jose del Monte was hailed Outstanding Rural Health Physician; Maricel Sison, Outstanding Public Health Nurse; Crizaldy Nieto, Outstanding Sanitary Inspector; Marvin Sanchez, Outstanding Medical Technologist; and Marciano Ygot, Outstanding Rural Health Midwife.

Each of the awardees took home a P10,000- cash incentive and a trophy.

Thirteen barangay health workers who served voluntarily for 30 years and 12 who served for 20 years, were given the Loyalty award and each took home P5,000 and a trophy.