6 days ago
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SEN. Bong Go raised the need for efficient government programs that directly benefit the people during a meeting with barangay officials from Guimaras.
The senator underscored the importance of health care reforms to benefit indigent patients, especially in remote areas.
He reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the country's health care system to benefit the people, particularly those in marginalized communities.
Speaking before barangay officials from Guimaras at a gathering in Tagaytay City on March 7, Go cited initiatives aimed at improving health care accessibility and ensuring that government funds are utilized effectively.
Among his key concerns was the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), which he urged to fully utilize its available funds for the benefit of indigent patients.
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He said PhilHealth "exists to serve the medical needs of Filipinos, not to accumulate excess funds."
"The PhilHealth is not a business venture. That's health insurance so that the poor have someone to count on in times of sickness," Go said in Filipino.
As chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go vowed to continue scrutinizing PhilHealth's operations and exercising oversight in the implementation of relevant laws particularly the Universal Healthcare Act.
Go informed the village leaders that he filed Senate Bill (SB) 197, or the Magna Carta for Barangays, which aims to grant barangay officials benefits equivalent to those of regular government employees.
He also filed SB 2802, which seeks to set the term of office for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to four years, a significant increase from the current three-year term.
