Go inspects SHC in Calamba City
SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, personally inspected on Monday, February 5, the super health center in Calamba City, Laguna.
In his speech, Go said that the super health center marks a pivotal step in the government’s efforts to bolster the health sector.
He said that the super health center (SHC) in Calamba City is part of a broader initiative he supported, aiming to bring the government’s services closer to Filipinos, particularly those in remote and underserved areas.
The senator, who is an adopted son of Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) lauded the local government, including Representatives Ruth Mariano-Hernandez and Charisse “Cha” Anne Hernandez, Gov. Ramil Hernandez, Mayor Ross Rizal and Vice Mayor Angelito “Totie” Lazaro, among others, for their collective efforts to ensure that their constituents get the medical attention that they need.
The super health center will offer various health care services, including database management, outpatient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: X-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose and throat service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine, through which remote diagnosis and treatment of patients are made possible.
Apart from Calamba City, SHCs are also funded in 12 other areas in the province. Through the collective efforts of the Department of Health (DoH) led by Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, local government units and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated under the DoH for the construction of 307 SHCs in 2022; 322 in 2023; and 132 in 2024.
DoH, as the main implementing agency, selects the strategic locations for these SHCs.
Go commended the barangay health workers for their dedication and hard work as he gave them grocery packs, snacks, shirts, and balls for basketball and volleyball.
He acknowledged their crucial role in the health care system, especially in community settings, and assured them of his continuous support.
“The dedication of our barangay health workers is the backbone of our community health services. Your hard work does not go unnoticed, and I will continue to push for the betterment of your welfare,” he said, highlighting the importance of supporting health workers at the grassroots level.
Go filed Senate Bill 427, which would require the provision of allowances and benefits to barangay health workers. If passed into law, the measure will provide a monthly allowance to all barangay health workers. They may also be entitled to benefits and privileges and security of tenure.
Go is one of the authors and co-sponsors in the Senate of the Republic Act (RA) 11712, which grants benefits and allowances to health care workers during public health emergencies like the Covid-19 pandemic. He continues to appeal to the executive to release the pending health emergency allowances due to qualified health care workers.
Likewise, Go promoted available government medical support through the Malasakit Centers program, which is operational at Laguna Medical Center in Sta. Cruz and San Pablo City General Hospital. These centers consolidate services from various government entities to support indigent Filipinos needing medical support.
As mandated under RA 11463, for which Go was the principal author and sponsor, Malasakit Centers aim to create accessible, unified service points where concerned government agencies, including the DoH, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, collaborate to provide medical assistance programs.
Currently, there are 159 Malasakit Centers in the country and, according to DoH, the program has already helped around 10 million Filipinos.
Moreover, these initiatives align with Go’s legislative efforts, such as the enactment of the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of specialty centers in DoH regional hospitals to enhance health care services.