Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and a known health reforms crusader led the blessing and inauguration of the Pilar Super Health Center II in Capiz on Sunday, April 6, reaffirming his push for better healthcare access across rural communities.
With local officials, healthcare workers, and residents present, Senator Go delivered a heartfelt message, emphasizing his commitment to public service.
“Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong mainit na pagtanggap sa aking pagbisita,” said Senator Go, addressing the people in a mixture of Bisaya and Tagalog. “Ako po ay isang Bisaya… hindi po ako iba sa inyo—ituring n’yo na po ako na parang kuya, kapatid n’yo na lang po.”
Senator Go, who was declared an adopted son of the province on the same day, recalled how he secured strong support in Capiz, particularly in Pilar, during the 2019 elections. “Salamat sa inyo,” he said. “Hindi ko ‘yan malilimutan. Ako naman po, hindi ako pulitiko. Magseserbisyo lang po ako. Sipag, pagmamalasakit, at serbisyo lang po ang kaya kong ialay.”
The senator’s straightforward and practical manner, shaped by years of working alongside former President Rodrigo Duterte, resonated with the audience. “Sanay po ako sa trabaho dahil bisyo ko po ang magserbisyo sa aking mga kababayang Pilipino. Para sa akin, ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo po ‘yan sa Diyos.”
He emphasized that the Super Health Center is part of a deliberate effort to bring public health services closer to Filipinos, especially in areas where the nearest hospital remains geographically and financially out of reach.
“Alam ko pong napakalayo ng ospital mula sa inyo. Kaya masaya po ako—through the Department of Health (DOH) na proyekto at isinulong natin bilang Chairman ng Committee on Health—na meron na kayong bagong Super Health Center dito sa Pilar,” Senator Go declared. “Gamitin n’yo po ito—para po ito sa Pilipino.”
Super Health Centers are designed to focus on primary care, consultation, and early detection, further strengthening the healthcare sector in the country, especially in grassroots communities. Free consultations are managed by municipal health offices, local government units (LGUs), and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) through its Konsulta program.
“Patuloy po akong tutulong sa pagpaparami ng Super Health Centers sa bansa sa abot po ng aking makakaya,” said Senator Go.
Through the concerted efforts of Senator Go, fellow lawmakers, the DOH under Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and LGUs, adequate funding was allocated for establishing more than 700 Super Health Centers nationwide, including 12 in Capiz.
Senator Go also took time to recognize the local officials who supported the project, among them Capiz Governor Fredinel Castro, Vice Governor Jaime Magbanua, Pilar Mayor Arnold Perez, and Vice Mayor Antonio Bargo, as well as the full municipal council, barangay officials, and youth leaders.
He then turned his attention to the role of healthcare frontliners, reiterating his unwavering support for barangay health workers (BHWs), barangay nutrition scholars (BNS), and other heroes of the pandemic era. “Kayo ang mga tunay na bayani sa panahon ng pandemya,” he said. “Kaya po ipinaglaban ko kayo para mabayaran (ang inyong Health Emergency Allowance).”
Senator Go urged the public to utilize the medical relates assistance available through Malasakit Centers, particularly at the Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital in Roxas City.
Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops aiming to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount. Senator 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 across the country, assisting patients with medical expenses. The DOH reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more than 17 million Filipinos.
“Kung hindi kaya operahan d’yan at kailangan dalhin sa Maynila, magsabi lang po kayo,” Senator Go said. “Tutulungan ko sa abot ng aking makakaya—pati pamasahe ng inyong pasyente hanggang makauwi po sila,” underscored the senator, who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need.
As Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Go also supported various infrastructure and health-related projects across Capiz to improve basic services for communities. These include the rehabilitation of the Cabug-cabug–Bayuyan–Yating–Tabun-acan Provincial Road, the San Nicolas–Sinamongan Provincial Road, and the concreting of the Sta. Fe–San Ramon Provincial Road in Pilar.
He also backed the acquisition of two ambulance units for the town and the construction of a Level III water system in Barangay San Ramon. In Roxas City, Senator Go pushed for the funding of a five-storey new Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital building in Barangay Lanot, reinforcing his health agenda for the region.
“Hinding-hindi ko po sasayangin ‘yung pagkakataong ibinigay n’yo po sa akin. Magtatrabaho po ako para sa Pilipino. At iyan po ang pwede kong i-alay sa inyo, ang aking bisyo sa pagseserbisyo,” concluded Senator Go.
On the same day, Senator Go also led the inauguration of the Super Health Center in President Roxas. In Roxas City, he joined a motorcade that culminated at the Capitol, where he met with local officials and supporters. Later, he took part in the Capiztahan festivities at Pueblo de Panay.
