“We all recognize the critical role that our medical technologists play. You are the silent yet steadfast pillars of our healthcare system – ensuring accuracy in laboratory results, guiding physicians in their diagnoses and treatment, and ultimately helping save countless lives,” a grateful Go said.
Senator Go considered medical technologists as among the unsung heroes of the health sector whose sacrifices, especially during the most difficult times of the pandemic, must be appreciated.
“Sa totoo lang po, kayo po ang dapat pasalamatan. Hindi po kami. Kayo po ang nagsakripisyo sa panahon ng pandemya. Hindi po natin mararating itong kinaroroonan ngayon kung hindi dahil sa inyo,” Go underscored.
Go, on the same occasion, shared that his daughter is a recent Magna Cum Laude graduate of Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology at the University of Santo Tomas.
“Malapit po sa aking puso ang mga med tech. Alam ninyo, just recently, two days ago, nabalitaan ko pumasa po ang aking anak. Med Tech na rin po siya…. Naging Magna Cum Laude po siya ng UST,” Go proudly announced.
One of the recent measures filed by Senator Go is Senate Bill No. 172, also known as the proposed New Medical Technology Law.
This bill aims to update several laws that date back over half a century, reflecting the advancements and requirements of modern medical technology.
“Layunin po nito na i-update ang luma ng batas, Republic Act No. 5527 in 1969, at tugunan ang kasalukuyang hamon ng inyong hanay,” Go pointed out.
RA No. 5527 has remained the governing law for the practice of medical technology in the Philippines for over five decades.
“Gusto ko pag na-hear na po ito sa Senado, dapat nandidiyan kayo. Dapat po marinig kayo. Kung ano ang dapat na baguhin dahil… napakatanda na po at marami nang nagbago sa ating buhay ngayon na dapat baguhin sa med tech bill,” Go said.
A notable feature of the bill is the proposed improvement of compensation and benefits for medical technologists, and it likewise proposes the establishment of a Professional Regulatory Board of Medical Technology.
“Sa ilalim ng panukalang ito, itinataguyod natin ang mas mataas na sahod para sa entry-level, at pagkakaroon ng sariling Professional Regulatory Board na tututok sa standards, ethics, at integridad ng propesyon,” Go added.
The senator then urged the officers and members of PAMET, led by Luella Vertucio, PAMET National President, and Maria Bea Lao, PAMET Davao City Chapter, to voice their recommendations and collaborate with the government to strengthen the healthcare system and ensure that no Filipino is left behind.
“Asahan ninyo po na bukas parati ang aking opisina. In my own capacity, gagawin ko po ang lahat ng kaya kong gawin. Tawagin ninyo lang po akong kuya Bong Go,” the lawmaker concluded, reinforcing his commitment to serve the Filipino people with compassion, hard work, and urgency.
On the same day, Go also personally visited the 126 fire victims in Purok San Isidro, Barangay Agdao Proper in the city.