Press Release - Opening statement of Senator Christopher "Bong" Go during the public hearing of Senate Committee on Health and Demography

Before we start, let me acknowledge the presence of Senator Raffy Tulfo, thank you for joining us. Dapat po ay kahapon itong hearing na ito, since first day po ng buwan, kakatapos lang po ng Holy Week break. Sa totoo lang nag-aalanganin po ako kahapon magpatawag ng hearing dahil nahulog po siya sa April 1, April Fools' Day, at I'm sure marami pong hindi magsasabi ng totoo dito. Baka hindi magsabi ng totoo yung DSWD, ha?

Today, we shall continue discussing the local hospital bills one by one, particularly the position of DOH and DBM on these bills. Tatalakayin natin ito one by one, gusto ko marinig ang kanilang position. We will also resume our discussions on the implementation of the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan, hindi po ito natalakay last time. Naubusan po tayo ng oras dahil nandirito po ang ating mga kongresista that time.

In relation to this, the Committee will also look into the payment of the Health Emergency Allowance (HEA). The HEA, implementation of the Malasakit Centers Act, the PhilHealth Konsulta Program, updates on PhilHealth programs, and our preparation in response to the pertussis outbreak. Importante rin po itong PhilHealth at mapakinggan po natin yung magagandang programa nating PhilHealth, para malaman po ng mga kababayan natin na lahat po ng Pilipino ay miyembro naman po ng PhilHealth. Dapat malaman ng Pilipino how to avail of the programs of the PhilHealth.

Let me give my brief opening remarks.

Last month, we conducted a hearing to discuss measures that would further strengthen our healthcare system. Partikular dito, pinag-usapan natin ang pagpapabuti at pag-a-upgrade ng mga public health facilities sa buong bansa. Sa hearing, binigyang-diin ko nga na ang pag-i-invest sa ating healthcare system ay isang mahalagang pamumuhunan para sa kinabukasan ng bansa. Naniniwala po ako na katumbas po ng kalusugan ay buhay po ng bawat Pilipino.

Given this, we heard last hearing the manifestations of our counterparts from the House of Representatives on various bills seeking to establish and upgrade public hospitals all over the country. I fully support the intent and objectives of these local bills but, if we are to pass these, I reiterated