Expressing his support for the privilege speech of Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, the principal sponsor of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, Go, in a manifestation speech, underscored that any excess revenue collections should be tapped through unprogrammed appropriations to ensure that health workers’ dues are prioritized.
“Speaking of our health workers, nag-umpisa po itong hearing dahil sa mga hinaing po ng mga health workers na meron tayong ipinasa na batas nung 18th Congress pa po, during the pandemic, ito pong Health Emergency Allowances,” Go said. “At marami pong nanawagan. Salamat po sa DBM (Department of Budget and Management) at DOH (Department of Health) last year, na-release na po yung PhP27 billion, finally.”
Go recounted that while a significant portion of the HEA had already been released, many health workers who initially lost hope—some having fallen ill or even passed away—were encouraged to file appeals after seeing last year’s payout. These appeals, amounting to PhP6.7 billion, should be granted if the services rendered are validated, he said.
“But na-engganyo po ‘yung iba, ‘yung mga nawalalan ng pag-asa, ‘yung iba namatay na po, nagkasakit na, hindi na nila nakubra o na-collect ‘yung kanilang HEA, ay nagkaroon sila ng pag-asa, so nag-appeal sila, nag-submit sila,” Go emphasized.
“Kung services rendered naman ito, if it is validated, talagang pinagpawisan ng mga health workers natin ay dapat pong ibigay natin sa kanila ito pong appeals na PhP6.7 billion dahil pinaghirapan, pinagpawisan ng ating mga health workers. Sila po ang hero ng pandemya, wala po tayo dito kung hindi dahil sa kanila.”
In 2022, Go was one of the authors and co-sponsors of Republic Act No. 11712, which provides an HEA for healthcare workers who served during public health emergencies.
The HEA provides financial compensation to healthcare workers in both public and private sectors who served during a public health emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Go has repeatedly pushed for its proper implementation, ensuring that eligible beneficiaries receive their due benefits.
The senator emphasized that the government should explore ways to secure the funds, even if it means adjusting program appropriations. He emphasized that the HEA settlement should be prioritized over other allocations, given its direct impact on the welfare of pandemic frontliners.
“Ano ba naman ‘yung maliit na halaga, na ibigay ng gobyerno sa kanila,” Go remarked.
“Whether san ilagay ito, ilagay natin sa 2026 budget. Kahit sabi nga nila na pwede raw nila kunin sa iba pang programa, sa SAGIP. Sana gawan n’yo ng paraan kung saan mang program appropriations. Mas mabuti pang unahin n’yong bayaran through the unprogrammed appropriations itong mga HEA ng mga health workers dahil talaga pong pinaghirapan po ito. Pinagpawisan po ito ng health workers natin.”
Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, also announced that his panel will continue holding regular hearings to tackle pressing health sector issues, including PhilHealth operations, HEA concerns, and other systemic challenges affecting health service delivery.
“Magkakaroon po tayo ng monthly hearing dito po sa Committee on Health, regarding sa PhilHealth, regarding HEA, at iba-iba pang issues,” he said, echoing the urgency of addressing resource inefficiencies.
He further pointed out that numerous health facilities across the country remain underutilized, lacking essential equipment and personnel. Some, he noted, have already turned into “white elephants” because of operational neglect.
“Totoo naman po ‘yung sinabi ninyo, marami tayong pasilidad na hindi nagagamit, kulang sa kagamitan. ‘Yung iba nagiging white elephant na po, ‘yung iba po walang doctor, walang mga nurses,” Go observed. “Dapat po ay mabigyan ito ng kaukulang atensyon at importansya.”
Go then reiterated the need for a higher health budget and any increase should be spent wisely to directly benefit poor patients.
“Sana ay mas tumaas pa ‘yung budget ng Department of Health,” Go said. “Hindi lang tumaas, gamitin sa wasto at sa tama at maibalik ang bawat piso, lalong-lalo na sa mga mahihirap na pasyente. Ang kalusugan po ay katumbas ‘yan ng bawat Pilipino. The more we should invest sa ating healthcare system.”
He concluded by affirming that health remains an indispensable pillar of national development, urging that every peso spent should translate into tangible improvements in public healthcare access and quality.
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