Senator Christopher “Bong” Go lauded the successful inauguration of the Super Health Center in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro on Thursday, June 26, describing it as a major step forward in bringing government health services closer to Filipinos, especially those in rural and geographically disadvantaged areas.
Represented by his Malasakit Team during the ceremony, Go emphasized the importance of the project, recalling that he personally attended the groundbreaking of the same facility two years ago on March 27, 2023 — a testament to his long-standing commitment to improving public health services nationwide.
“Napakahalaga ng pagkakaroon ng Super Health Center sa Calapan. Noon, marami sa ating mga kababayan ang hirap makarating sa ospital, lalo na ‘yung mga buntis na minsan ay sa tricycle o jeep na lang nanganak dahil sa layo ng biyahe,” Go had said during the groundbreaking. “Kaya masaya ako na ngayon ay may ganitong pasilidad na malapit at abot-kaya.”
The newly inaugurated facility aims to decongest hospitals and reduce patients’ travel burden by offering primary care closer to communities. It provides a range of services, such as outpatient consultations, laboratory and diagnostics, birthing and isolation facilities, X-ray and ultrasound, pharmacy, and minor surgical procedures. It is also equipped for specialized care, including EENT (eye, ear, nose, throat) services, oncology, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and telemedicine.
As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go has championed the establishment of Super Health Centers nationwide. Funds have been allocated for 700 Super Health Centers nationwide, including seven in the province, through his collaboration with DOH, LGUs and fellow legislators.
Calapan City Mayor Marilou Flores Morillo also expressed her appreciation for Senator Go’s continuous support to the people of Calapan and the rest of the country, recognizing his long-standing dedication to healthcare initiatives.
“Marami po siyang Super Health Center bukod pa po yung kanyang Malasakit Center. Talaga po yung buong buhay po ni Senator Bong Go ay inilalaan niya para sa mamamayan ng buong Pilipinas, hindi lang po sa Calapan… Kaya natutuwa ako, congratulations po kay Senator Bong Go, kaya po siya nag number 1 sa puso ng mamamayan kasi nakita po ng tao ang kanyang serbisyo,” Mayor Morillo said during the inauguration.
Meanwhile, Go continues to advocate for the Malasakit Center program, which is available at the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital (OMPH) in Calapan City. The Malasakit Center brings together under one roof the medical assistance programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health, PhilHealth, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, mandates the establishment of these one-stop shops in key public hospitals. Go is the principal author and sponsor of this law, which has helped more than 17 million Filipinos through 167 centers nationwide.
As an adopted son of the province and Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported numerous infrastructure projects in Oriental Mindoro. On the same day as the Super Health Center inauguration, a newly completed multipurpose building in Barangay Masipit, Calapan City was also inaugurated — one of the many development initiatives backed by the senator to strengthen local infrastructure and promote community welfare.
He has also pushed for the construction of farm-to-market roads in Bulalacao, Bansud, Gloria, Pola, and Socorro; multi-purpose buildings in Bongabong and Bulalacao; potable water systems in Socorro and Pinamalayan; medical equipment for Bongabong; and the acquisition of service vehicles in Pola, among others.
In closing, Go congratulated the people of Calapan City and expressed gratitude to the provincial and local officials for working hand-in-hand with the national government in improving the lives of their constituents.
“Saludo ako sa mga lokal na lider sa Calapan at Oriental Mindoro. Patunay ito na kung magtutulungan ang lahat, mas mapapalapit natin ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa kapwa natin Pilipino,” Go said.
“Patuloy po akong magseserbisyo sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos at ang bawat maliit na tulong na naibibigay natin ay may malaking epekto sa buhay ng tao. Magtulungan po tayo at magmalasakit sa isa’t isa,” Go concluded.