Senator Bong Go visited the municipality of Llanera in Nueva Ecija on Thursday, 11 May, and inspected the town’s new Super Health Center, which is expected to provide more accessible basic health services to the community.
In his speech, the senator commended the local government of Llanera and the Department of Health for their commitment to improving the health and welfare of the residents. He noted that the SHC is a vital component of the government’s healthcare system and will provide much-needed medical services to the town and neighboring areas.
“Binisita rin po namin ‘yung itatayong Super Health Center. Magtatayo po ng siyam na Super Health Center dito po sa probinsya ng Nueva Ecija kasama na po diyan ang Llanera. At magkakaroon po ng 307 na Super Health Center sa taong 2022 at 322 na Super Health Center sa taong 2023 sa buong Pilipinas po,” he shared.
Super Health Centers are improved versions of polyclinics that offer database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation center; and telemedicine, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients will be done.
Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed.
In Nueva Ecija, DOH has identified areas in Llanera, Rizal, San Leonardo, Sto. Domingo, Aliaga, Bongabon, Science City of Muñoz, Zaragoza, and Cabanatuan City for the construction of Super Health Centers.
After the inspection, Go joined the inauguration of the town’s public wet market, which is set to provide the community with a clean and safe place to buy fresh produce and other goods. The funding for its construction was earlier supported by Go as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance.
“Natutuwa po ako na may bago na po kayong wet market. Para sa mga nagtitinda dito sa palengke, alagaan niyo itong palengke ninyo… yung mga paninda niyo dito mga sariwa. Masaya ako sa mga ganitong inisyatibong makakatulong sa kabuhayan at pagpapaunlad ng inyong komunidad,” Go said during his visit.
Go has likewise previously supported the construction of a flood control structure in the town.
“Alam n’yo, wala pong masasayang na oras. Magta-trabaho po ako para sa Pilipino. Iyan po ang pwede kong i-alay sa inyo, ang aking pagseserbsiyo, ang aking kasipagan sa pagtatrabaho. Sanay po ako sa trabaho. Umaga, tanghali, hapunan, sa panaginip nagtatrabaho pa ako,” cited Go.
“Ayaw kong may masayang na oras. Hanggang nakakatulog ako, ‘yung cellphone ko, nandiyan sa tabi ko. Iyan po ang natutunan ko kay (dating) pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte, pagseserbisyo po sa kapwa Piliipino,” he added.
The senator, who is an adopted son of Nueva Ecija, then led a relief operation at Lagasca Gymnasium where he provided assistance to 1,000 struggling residents. Go and his team distributed grocery packs, masks, snacks, vitamins, and shirts to the residents. They also gave away bicycles, mobile phones, shoes, watches, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended financial assistance.
Earlier that day, Go was in Talavera where he checked on the operations of the Malasakit Center at Talavera General Hospital, provided aid to patients and hospital front liners, and then inspected the Talavera Bridge — another project the senator supported.