Senator Bong Go ushered in the Senate the approval on third and final reading of four key proposed legislative measures that seek to establish and improve public health facilities across Luzon and Mindanao.
Go, who serves as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, is the principal sponsor of all four measures, which include the establishment and upgrading of hospitals in Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Quirino, and Aurora.
“Lagi nating inuuna ang kapakanan ng mahihirap pagdating sa kalusugan,” the legislator said.
“Buhay at oras ang nasasayang kapag kulang ang pasilidad sa mga probinsya.”
“Kapag may maayos na ospital sa mga lalawigan, hindi na kailangang bumiyahe pa ng malayo ang mga pasyente para lang magpagamot. Buhay at oras ang nasasayang kapag kulang ang pasilidad sa mga probinsya,” the lawmaker added.
Among the bills passed is House Bill No. 10885, which establishes the Zamboanga del Sur Second District Hospital in San Miguel. This new district hospital is intended to serve remote communities in the province that currently lack immediate access to basic inpatient and emergency services.
Also approved was HBN 10080, which upgrades the Quirino Province Medical Center in Cabarroguis into a Level III general hospital. Once enacted, this will expand the range of specialized services available to residents, including more advanced diagnostic, surgical, and treatment facilities.
Meanwhile, HBN 11163 establishes the Liloy General Hospital in Zamboanga del Norte as a Level II general hospital. This will fill a critical gap in health service delivery in the region, where many patients are currently referred to distant tertiary centers.
Lastly, HBN 11162 paves the way for the creation of the Aurora Medical Center in Baler, which will function as a Level III general hospital — bringing more healthcare closer to the eastern coast of Luzon.
“Ayokong may pamilyang mawalan ng mahal sa buhay dahil lang sa kawalan ng ospital.”
According to the senator, all four measures form part of his broader health reforms agenda, anchored on expanding public health access, especially in far-flung areas and grassroots communities.
“Ayokong may pamilyang mawalan ng mahal sa buhay dahil lang sa kawalan ng ospital. Kaya ito ang paulit-ulit kong isinusulong sa Senado — dagdag na ospital, mas maayos na serbisyo, at libreng pagpapagamot para sa mga kapos-palad,” he stressed.
To date, Go has authored 19 laws and principally sponsored 94 laws, including 92 measures that establish or upgrade public hospitals nationwide — underscoring his longstanding commitment to improving healthcare access. He has also co-authored or co-sponsored 190 other laws in pursuit of the welfare of various sectors.
“For my second term, with all sincerity, I will continue to push for pro-poor programs and laws, especially on health. Health is wealth. We must collaborate to bring quality medical services closer to our people, particularly the poor and indigent patients. Ang kalusugan ay katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he declared during his proclamation as a re-elected senator on May 17.
