Senator Bong Go personally visited Maco, Davao de Oro to join local officials, health workers, and residents in the blessing and inauguration of the Super Health Center in Barangay Pangi.
The new facility marks another step in strengthening access to basic health services in the municipality, especially for residents who need medical consultation, early disease detection, and primary care closer to their communities.
“Kining Super Health Center, isa ka pamaagi nga iduol nato ang serbisyong medikal sa tao. Diri ang check-up, diri ang konsultasyon, naa mo’y X-ray. Dili na mo kinahanglan muadto sa Tagum, dili na mo kinahanglan muadto sa Mati, o dili na mo kinahanglan muadto sa Davao kung mga minor cases (Ang Super Health Center na ito ay isang paraan para mailapit natin ang serbisyon medikal sa tao. Dito na ang check-up, dito na ang konsultasyon, may X-ray na rin kayo. Hindi na ninyo kailangang pumunta sa Tagum, Mati, o Davao para sa mga minor cases),” Go said.
“Hindi na ninyo kailangang pumunta sa Tagum, Mati, o Davao para sa mga minor cases.”
The Super Health Center in Barangay Pangi is the second Super Health Center in Maco.
The veteran legislator earlier attended the groundbreaking of the first Super Health Center in Barangay Binuangan in 2023.
The seasoned lawmaker was joined during the event by Davao de Oro Vice Governor Dorothy Gonzaga, Maco Mayor Arthur Carlos Rimando, Vice Mayor Alvera Veronica Rimando, barangay officials, and other local leaders.
During the event, the senator provided support to barangay health workers. His office distributed grocery packs, shirts, pens, basketballs, and volleyballs.
He recognized the role of barangay health workers in bringing government health services closer to the people, particularly in communities where residents often rely on local health personnel for initial care, guidance, and monitoring.
Go also paid tribute to medical frontliners, barangay health workers, and barangay nutrition scholars who served communities during the pandemic.
Super Health Centers are designed to focus on primary care, consultation, and early detection, thereby further strengthening the country’s healthcare sector, particularly in grassroots communities. These facilities are envisioned to decongest major hospitals by handling common illnesses, basic diagnostics, and preventive services at the local level.
He also emphasized that the Department of Health and local government units must work together to ensure that Super Health Centers become fully operational and useful to the people.
“Basta magtinabangay ang LGU ug ang DOH. Proyekto ni sa DOH, pero nagtabang ang LGU. Mag-complement na sila. Maging operational, magamit ninyo (Kapag nagtutulungan ang LGU at DOH, magiging operational ito at magagamit ng tao. Proyekto ito ng DOH, pero tumutulong ang LGU),” Go said.
He stressed that government health facilities must not become unused or neglected projects.
“Huwag ninyong iwanan na maging white elephant. Dahil pera po ito ng tao. Pera po ito ng gobyerno. Dapat mapakinabangan ng Pilipino po ito,” Go said.
In Davao de Oro, nine Super Health Centers have been identified. These include facilities in Compostela, Mawab, Montevista, Nabunturan, Maco, and Monkayo. The Pangi Super Health Center in Maco is among the 2023 Super Health Center projects in the province.
During his speech, Go again stressed that Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds should be used to help Filipinos who fear seeking medical care because of the cost of treatment.
“Walang excess funds ang PhilHealth dahil marami pang Pilipinong natatakot magpa-check-up dahil sa kahirapan,” said Go.
Among the reforms cited were the adjustment of case rates by up to 50 percent across the board, coverage for optometric services and devices, coverage for assistive devices such as wheelchairs, coverage for emergency outpatient services, removal of the 45-day benefit limit policy, and repeal of the Single Period of Confinement Policy.
Go also reiterated that public funds belong to the people and must return to them through services, projects, and assistance.
“Pera po ito ng gobyerno. Dapat mapakinabangan ng Pilipino po ito.”
“Kining tanang proyekto, tanang tabang sa gobyerno, kwarta na sa tao. Inyo man ang kwarta. Wala’y dapat manghambog ana (Ang lahat ng proyektong ito at lahat ng tulong ng gobyerno ay pera ng tao. Pera ninyo ito. Walang dapat magyabang dito),” he added.
Go, who is known as Mr. Malasakit, said he will continue serving Filipinos and defending their right to government support and basic services.
“Maski asa ko ipadpad sa akong tadhana sa Manila, maski unsa pa ang daog-daog sa amoa didto, dili gyud ko mohunong moserbisyo. Ipaglalaban ko po ang bawat Pilipino (Kahit saan man ako dalhin ng tadhana sa Manila, kahit ano pa ang panggigipit sa amin doon, hindi ako titigil sa serbisyo. Ipaglalaban ko ang bawat Pilipino),” he stated.
Go further reminded the public that service must be done while there is still time to help others.
“Minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung anuman ang kabutihan o tulong na kaya nating gawin para sa kapwa, gawin na natin ngayon dahil hindi na tayo babalik sa mundong ito,” he concluded.
