Speaking in his capacity as Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Go said his focus for the new year is to closely monitor how healthcare services are directed to patient care, rather than remaining idle or trapped in bureaucracy.
“Ang pinakamagandang regalo sa bagong taon para sa mga Pilipino ay ang masigurong ang pondo para sa kalusugan ay tunay na napapakinabangan,” Go said. “Pera po ito ng taumbayan, kaya dapat siguruhing nagagamit ito nang tama at naaayon sa layunin nito.”
“Wishing everyone a happy, healthy new year!,” he greeted.
Go reiterated that his health agenda remains anchored on policies and programs that aim to reduce the number of sick Filipinos while improving the capacity of government hospitals to serve more patients. He stressed that no Filipino should be forced into deeper financial hardship simply because of illness.
Central to this effort, according to the senator, is the sustained implementation of the Malasakit Centers Law, which aim to help indigent patients reduce their hospital expenses. He said these centers must continue functioning smoothly in select government hospitals and be regularly evaluated to ensure that patients can access assistance without unnecessary delays.
“Kapag maayos ang takbo ng Malasakit Center, mas nababawasan ang iniisip ng pasyente pagdating sa bayarin,” Go said. “Kaya mahalaga ang maayos na pagpapatupad at pagbabantay dito.”
Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops aiming to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.
As of now, 167 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide, assisting patients with medical expenses. The Department of Health (DOH) reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than 17 million Filipinos.
The senator also emphasized the importance of maximizing the use of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds to ensure that members receive the benefits they are entitled to. He said he has consistently raised concerns in the Senate regarding unutilized PhilHealth funds and the need for stricter oversight on how these resources are managed in order to fully implement the Universal Healthcare Law.
“Hindi dapat pahirap sa nagkakasakit dahil may pondong hindi nagagamit,” Go said. “Responsibilidad ng mga ahensya na siguraduhing napapakinabangan ito ng lahat dahil bawat Pilipino ay dapat miyembro ng Philhealth.”
Go added that bringing government health services closer to communities remains an important policy direction, particularly in far-flung and underserved areas. He noted that accessible primary care and early treatment can help prevent illnesses from worsening and reduce pressure on hospitals.
“Kung mailalapit ang serbisyo sa tao, mas maaga maaagapan ang karamdaman at mas maiiwasan ang malalang sakit,” he said.
As part of his legislative work, Go said he will continue to monitor the implementation of existing health laws and raise concerns on pending health-related measures he has filed, sponsored, or co-sponsored in the Senate, emphasizing that the effectiveness of any law ultimately depends on proper execution.
He concluded by expressing hope that the new year will see greater accountability in the use of public health funds, with government agencies ensuring that resources are spent as intended and felt where they matter most.
Facebook Conversations