Go inaugurates SHC in Iloilo

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SEN. Bong Go returned to Iloilo on Monday, April 7, for the inauguration of a Super Health Center (SHC) in Pavia town, which is one of 27 facilities already funded across the province as part of the lawmaker's crusade to bring medical services closer to Filipinos, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Before a crowd of residents and local officials, Go recalled his Visayan roots and affinity for Iloilo, weaving humor with appeals for better public health access.

"I'm not a politician. You won't hear me making promises," Go told the crowd. "All I have to do is do the job — and as a senator, it's my job to make sure you don't have to fear going to the hospital because of the cost."

The new SHC is expected to offer primary care services such as consultation, early disease detection, minor procedures, and diagnostic care, helping to decongest major hospitals while making essential health services more geographically accessible.

Free consultations will be administered by municipal health offices, local government units, and PhilHealth through its Konsulta program.

"I will continue to help increase the number of Super Health Centers in the country to the best of my ability to bring medical services closer to Filipinos," promised Go.

This initiative is the result of coordinated efforts by Go, fellow lawmakers, the Department of Health (DOH) under Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, and local government leaders.

Go also recognized the efforts of local officials, including Rep. Michael Gorriceta, Dr. Kathy Gorriceta, Mayor Luigi Gorriceta, Vice Mayor Edsel Gerochi, Councilors JP Peñol, Ariel Gerada, Rhia Sotomil, and Roy Gorriceta Sr., former SK Municipal Federation president Dr. Kervin Matthew Zaldarriaga, Vice Mayor Toto Gustilo of Calinog, and Councilor Johnny Young of Iloilo City, who were present at the event.

He reinforced his commitment to accessible health care, as he urged residents to take advantage of the Malasakit Centers now operational in Iloilo.

These are located in the Western Visayas Medical Center and Western Visayas State University Medical Center in Iloilo City; the Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo; and the Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital in Santa Barbara.

"If you have a patient who cannot afford surgery or maintenance meds, just come to the Malasakit Center," said Go. "And if you still need help, just come to us. I will take care of the fare home."

These Malasakit Centers serve as one-stop shops for poor and indigent patients, streamlining medical assistance from various government agencies to help reduce hospital expenses.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act (RA) 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the program nationwide.

To date, 167 Malasakit Centers are fully operational, with the DOH reporting over 17 million Filipinos already benefiting from the initiative.

Go has also authored and sponsored several key laws to upgrade the region's health care infrastructure; among them is RA 11496, which increased the bed capacity of the Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, from 425 to 700 beds.

He also served as the principal sponsor of RA 11723, which converted the Western Visayas Sanitarium in Santa Barbara into a general hospital now known as the Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital.

In addition, Go sponsored RA 11891, which paved the way for the establishment of the Iloilo City Hospital, which is expected to ease pressure on existing medical centers and improve local access to essential health services.