It has been months, but the shock still reverberates among those who witnessed a woman, struggling with limited resources, tragically gave birth in the streets of Cebu City—a decision made out of fear that hospital care was beyond her financial reach.
For Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, this incident underscores the urgent need for PhilHealth to deliver on its commitment to intensify information campaigns on healthcare benefits under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act.
Go emphasized that inadequate public awareness of health assistance programs continues to put lives at risk. Last month, his office received a commitment letter from PhilHealth, in which the agency pledged to strengthen its campaign on educating Filipinos about the benefits they can avail of through Republic Act No. 11223.
Go believes this step is essential to bridging the critical knowledge gap in healthcare accessibility.
“Hindi lang tungkol sa pagiging miyembro ng PhilHealth ang kailangan malaman ng ating mga kababayan—dapat malaman nila ang mga benepisyo na maaaring makuha,” Go said, calling for an active effort to keep Filipinos informed about government-supported healthcare options.
“Kailangan natin siguraduhin na ang bawat Pilipino ay may sapat na kaalaman upang magamit ang mga serbisyong inaalok ng gobyerno,” he added.
This push from Go builds on ongoing efforts in the Senate Committee on Health, which has held multiple hearings focusing on healthcare access challenges. In past Senate Health Hearings, Go brought up the tragic Cebu incident, expressing deep frustration over how such cases highlight the consequences of insufficient public awareness.
“Nakakalungkot po na may mga ganitong insidente, katulad ng nangyari sa Cebu. Kung alam lamang ng ginang na may tulong pampagamot na maaaring makuha mula sa gobyerno sa pagpapa-ospital, sana buhay pa siya at ang kanyang anak ngayon,” Go stated, noting that no Filipino should have to make life-and-death decisions out of fear of medical expenses.
The issue surfaced again when Go reiterated the urgency of utilizing PhilHealth’s substantial budget to improve not only its services but also public education on the benefits supposedly covered by PhilHealth under UHC.
He highlighted that too many Filipinos, even those directly enrolled in PhilHealth, remain unaware of the full scope of their entitlements.
“’Yung iba nga po hindi nila alam, miyembro pala sila ng PhilHealth,” Go remarked during the hearing. “Dito natin nakikita ang kahalagahan ng tamang impormasyon—ang kaalaman ay pwedeng magligtas ng buhay. Marami sa ating mga kababayan ang natatakot magpagamot dahil hindi nila alam na may tulong mula sa gobyerno.”
Citing billions in unused PhilHealth funds, Go emphasized that these resources should be directed toward campaigns that inform and empower Filipinos, ensuring they access available healthcare support without financial fear.
By focusing on comprehensive awareness efforts, he hopes to see immediate and impactful changes in the healthcare landscape.
“Sa tamang impormasyon at kampanya, magagawa nating masigurong walang Pilipino ang mapapabayaan pagdating sa kalusugan,” Go concluded, calling for PhilHealth’s renewed commitment to be realized fully and immediately.
