Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Friday, March 10 urged Filipinos anew to vote for next leaders who could build on President Duterte’s legacy and ensure the continuity of his programs and policies.

“Ngayong nalalapit na ang pagtatapos ng termino ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, umaapela ako sa mga kapwa ko Pilipino na tiyakin na ang pipiliin nilang bagong lider ay maipagpapatuloy ang kanyang magagandang nagawa—para masiguro natin ang mas ligtas at mas komportableng buhay para sa mga minamahal nating kababayan at susunod na henerasyon na magiging parte ng mas matatag na sambayanan! (Now that the six-year tenure of President Duterte nears its expiration, I appeal to my countrymen to choose new leaders who could improve further his programs to make lives more comfortable for our country and future generations),’’ he said.

Go made the appeal after lauding the numerous programs and policies of the Duterte Administration which have brought significant improvements in the country’s healthcare system.

The senator from Davao particularly commended the government’s pandemic efforts and vaccination rollout as the country continues to see consistent decline in its COVID-19 numbers.

“Bilang Chairman ng Senate Committee on Health, masaya ang inyong lingkod na patuloy sa pagbaba ang mga naitatalang kaso ng COVID-19 at patuloy namang tumataas ang bilang ng mga bakunado na (As chairman of the Senate committee on health, I am happy with the continuing downtrend of the listed cases of COVID-19 and the continuing rise in the number of the vaccinated,” Go said.

Despite the improving pandemic situation in the country, Go reassured that he would continue to push for policies and measures to enhance Filipinos’ access to quality healthcare. Among these include the continuing expansion of Malasakit Centers nationwide.

“Ipinagpapatuloy ko pa rin ang mga pagsisikap para mapalakas lalo ang ating healthcare system sa buong bansa (I still continue the efforts to further strengthen our healthcare system nationwide),” Go stressed.

“Marami tayong natutunan sa bawat pagsubok na ating hinarap sa mga nakaraang taon kung kaya’t ginagawa ng gobyerno ang lahat upang maging mas handa at matatag ang mga mekanismong meron tayo at maging mas handa pa sa anumang krisis na maaaring dumating (We have learned a lot from every challenge that we faced in the past years and the government is doing everything to make whatever mechanisms we have more prepared and stable to whatever crisis that may come),” he added.

There are now 151 Malasakit Centers nationwide following the launch of new centers at the Batanes General Hospital in Basco town on March 1 and at the Quirino Provincial Medical Center in Cabarroguis town the following day.

“Layunin po ng mga Malasakit Centers na mapagkalooban ng tulong medikal ang mga mahihirap nating kababayan. Hindi na sila mahihirapang magpalipat-lipat pa ng mga opisina ng pamahalaan dahil nasa Malasakit Center na ang tulong mula sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation PhilHealth), at Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office(PCSO)... (The objective of the Malasakit Centers is to provide medical assistance to our indigent countrymen. They no longer need to go around the government offices because the assistance they need from the DSWD, DOH, PhilHealth, and PCSO),’’ according to Go who is the principal author and sponsor of Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

Meanwhile, Go lamented that many Filipinos in rural areas still suffer from poor access to vital healthcare services due to the lack of hospitals, health personnel, and medical equipment. Go said that this prompted him to push for the establishment of new hospitals and improvement of existing ones.

Go also called for the establishment of Super Health Centers across the country to improve the access of Filipinos to government health services, particularly in rural areas.

The proposed center is a medium version of a polyclinic and an improved version of the rural health unit. It will have a land area of 514.3 square meters as initially planned.

It will have the following services: lab facilities, pharmacy, birthing facilities, out-patient department, dental services, comprehensive PhilHealth out-patient department, and other minor services.

The senator also suggested that these Super Health Centers be used as satellite vaccination sites for those Filipinos who live far from the urban centers.