Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and a health reforms crusader, underscored the urgency of providing continuous medical assistance to Filipinos, emphasizing that healthcare services should be available year-round to meet the needs of the public.
“Naniniwala po ang inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go na dahil maraming Pilipino ang patuloy na nangangailangan ng tulong, walang pinipiling oras at araw dapat ang serbisyo natin,” Go said.
He further remarked, “At dahil wala ring pinipiling panahon ang pagkakasakit, dapat ay laging nakahanda ang serbisyo at tulong medikal para sa ating mga kababayan.”
Go criticized the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) “cut-off” system for releasing medical assistance through guarantee letters at the end of the fiscal year. According to the DSWD, the practice is part of its annual accounting process. However, Go expressed concern over its negative impact on indigent Filipinos who urgently need medical care.
“Pero ang tanong natin sa DSWD, paano naman ang mga magkakasakit? Ang sakit po ay walang ‘deadline.’ Wala ring extension ang buhay ng isang taong may sakit kung wala siyang matatakbuhan lalo pa ngayong paparating na ang Kapaskuhan,” he said.
To address this issue, Go suggested allocating funds specifically for the last quarter of the year to ensure that assistance remains available regardless of accounting deadlines.
“Naniniwala po ako na may paraan at sistema na puwedeng gawin ang gobyerno para matiyak na walang patid ang tulong sa mga nangangailangan,” he added.
Go also called on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to fulfill its promises under the Universal Health Care Law. He highlighted the importance of raising awareness among Filipinos about the benefits they are entitled to as PhilHealth members.
“Mahalagang malaman ng bawat Pilipino na miyembro na ng PhilHealth na maaari nilang mapakinabangan ang mga benepisyo alinsunod sa Universal Health Care Law,” Go asserted.
He pointed out several commitments made by PhilHealth, which were secured through his consistent advocacy as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health.
The commitments include increasing case rates for major illnesses, introducing additional benefit packages for the ten most dangerous diseases, providing free medicines and assistive devices such as eyeglasses and wheelchairs, and expanding coverage to include dental, visual, emergency, and preventive care.
“Babantayan natin ang pangakong pagtataas ng case rates; dagdag na benefit packages, lalo na sa sampung pinakamapanganib na sakit; pagkakaloob ng libreng gamot at assistive devices, gaya ng salamin sa mata at wheelchairs; pagsasama sa dental, visual, emergency at preventive care; at pag-a-update ng kanilang mga polisiya para matugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga Pilipino,” Go noted.
He also reminded his fellow public servants of their shared duty to prioritize the well-being of the Filipino people.
“Sa mga kapwa ko lingkod bayan, tandaan nating minsan lang tayong dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung anong tulong ang puwede nating ibigay sa ating kapwa, gawin na natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” he urged.
Go reaffirmed his dedication to serving the nation, stating, “Patuloy po akong magtatrabaho para sa bawat Pilipino at tutulong sa abot ng aking makakaya.” He added, “Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo, at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos.”
The senator reiterated his commitment to his health reforms crusade, advocating for better access to healthcare, especially for poor and marginalized Filipinos.
Tandaan natin na ang maayos na kalusugan ang pinakamagandang regalo natin sa ating sarili at pamilya!” he concluded.
