Sen. Bong Go joins Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center’s 55th anniversary, welcomes Okada Foundation equipment donation, continued health service improvements
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go joined the 55th founding anniversary celebration of the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center in Mati City on Friday, July 24, where he witnessed the ceremonial turnover and blessing of a new floor-mounted digital x-ray and CCTV system donated by the Okada Foundation.
The celebration recognized the provincial hospital’s 55 years of service to patients across Davao Oriental while marking the addition of equipment intended to strengthen its healthcare operations and improve the delivery of medical services.
Go congratulated the DOPMC administration, healthcare workers, support personnel, and other members of the hospital community for their continued service to patients throughout the province.
He also thanked the Okada Foundation for providing the medical equipment and acknowledged the provincial and local officials, hospital personnel, healthcare workers, and partner institutions involved in the activity.
Go particularly recognized Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, Vice Governor Ma. Glenda Monette Gayta, Board Member Don Montojo, Mati City Mayor Joel Mayo Almario, San Isidro Mayor Ma. Angelica Go-Dayanghirang, Lupon Mayor Santos Alonzo Jr., Lupon Vice Mayor Atty. Chrence Go, and other local officials for supporting initiatives intended to improve healthcare services across the province.
During his visit to Davao Oriental, Go reiterated in a speech delivered in Lupon that the health and welfare of Filipinos remain among his priorities.
“Health is wealth. Napakahalaga sa akin ng kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Kung mayroon kayong pasyenteng kailangang operahan sa Davao o Tagum, magsabi lamang kayo sa vice mayor, konsehal, kay Board Member Don, o kay Board Member Jimboy. Tutulungan namin kayo,” he said.
The donated medical equipment is expected to assist doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers in attending to patients and responding to the medical needs of communities served by the provincial hospital.
Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center is also home to the province’s Malasakit Center, which was launched on October 9, 2020, as the 86th Malasakit Center in the country.
The Malasakit Center serves as a one-stop shop that brings together concerned government agencies to help qualified patients access available medical and financial assistance.
Go authored and principally sponsored Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the program in Department of Health hospitals and the Philippine General Hospital and authorized its establishment in other qualified public hospitals.
In discussing the healthcare programs he had supported, Go cited the establishment of Malasakit Centers, Super Health Centers, and specialty centers in Davao and other parts of the country.
“May Malasakit Centers sa Mati, Tagum, Davao, at sa buong Pilipinas. Mayroon kayong dalawang Super Health Center dito, sa Calapagan at Bagumbayan, kung saan maaaring magpa-checkup at magpakonsulta, kasama ang YAKAP program ng PhilHealth. Ito ang mga proyektong aking itinulak. May Cancer Center, Heart Center, at Kidney Center din sa Davao, at ako ang pangunahing sponsor ng mga ito,” he said in Lupon.
The senator also authored and principally sponsored Republic Act No. 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which provides for the establishment of specialty centers in selected DOH hospitals across the regions.
He authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11712, which provides continuing benefits and allowances to public and private healthcare workers during public health emergencies.
Go also filed Senate Bill No. 412, or the proposed Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers, which seeks to provide qualified BHWs with compensation and other benefits. The measure has passed second reading in the Senate.
He likewise filed Senate Bill No. 1352, or the proposed Protection of Workers in the Private Health Sector Act of 2025, which seeks to provide hazard pay and additional safeguards for qualified private healthcare workers.
Go said these legislative efforts form part of his continuing push to improve public hospitals, expand access to medical assistance, support healthcare workers, and bring essential health services closer to communities.
“Bilang inyong senador, nakapag-akda ako ng 27 batas. Naging pangunahing sponsor ako ng 95 batas para sa pagpapahusay at pagpopondo ng mga pampublikong ospital, pagdaragdag ng mga kama, at pagtatayo ng mga bagong ospital. Naging co-author o co-sponsor din ako ng 197 batas. Sa nakalipas na tatlong taon, wala akong absent sa Senado. Sipag, serbisyo, at pagmamalasakit ang maaari kong ialay sa inyo,” he said.