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Bong Go Pushes For Stronger PGH Support As ER Hits Critical Overcapacity: 'We Must Prioritize Health!'
Photo credit: Bong Go
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go is once again sounding the alarm on the dire situation at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), urging the government to step up and provide immediate and long-term support. With the hospital’s emergency room overflowing beyond capacity, Go stressed that ensuring proper healthcare—especially for the poor—should be a top priority.
“Dapat ibigay natin ang suportang kailangan ng PGH upang masigurong kaya nitong alagaan ang mga pasyenteng Pilipino. That is why we should prioritize health! The more we should invest in our healthcare system!” Go said in response to reports that PGH has started limiting patient intake due to overcrowding and oxygen supply issues.
The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, also pointed out how unfair the situation is for indigent Filipinos who have no choice but to rely on public hospitals. “Pwede mo bang sabihin sa mahihirap na pasyente na huwag munang magkasakit kasi hindi kayang i-accommodate sa ER?” he asked.
Duterte-era Funding for PGH
Go recalled that under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, the Office of the President consistently allocated monthly funds to PGH to support its services and growing patient demand.
“Noong panahon ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, taun-taon ay nagbibigay siya ng buwanang pondo para pandagdag sa budget ng PGH,” he noted. “Malaking tulong ito para sa mga pasyenteng walang ibang matatakbuhan kundi ang gobyerno.”
Pushing for More Hospital Beds
To address the long-term issue of overcapacity, Go highlighted his efforts to expand PGH’s bed capacity through Senate Bill No. 2928, which he principally sponsored and authored. The bill, already approved by both the Senate and House of Representatives, aims to increase the hospital’s bed capacity to 2,200.
“Meron din akong isinulong—bilang principal sponsor at isa sa mga authors ng Senate Bill 2928—upang dagdagan pa ang bed capacity ng PGH,” he shared. “Sana ay tuluyang maisabatas na ito dahil malaking tulong ito sa mga mahihirap na pasyente.”
What’s Next?
Go assured the public that the Senate Health Committee will tackle the issue in its upcoming hearings to come up with both short- and long-term solutions to the country’s healthcare challenges.
“Tututukan ito ng Senate Health Committee at tatalakayin sa susunod na pagdinig upang mabigyan ng solusyon at mas maisaayos ang serbisyong pangkalusugan na nais nating ilapit sa bawat Pilipino.”
PGH previously confirmed that its emergency room is operating at two to three times its ideal capacity, prompting the Department of Health (DOH) to advise patients to seek alternative hospitals while efforts are being made to ease the congestion.
With PGH struggling to accommodate patients, Go’s call for stronger government support couldn’t come at a better time. The question now is: will the government act fast enough to prevent an even bigger healthcare crisis?
“Dapat ibigay natin ang suportang kailangan ng PGH upang masigurong kaya nitong alagaan ang mga pasyenteng Pilipino. That is why we should prioritize health! The more we should invest in our healthcare system!” Go said in response to reports that PGH has started limiting patient intake due to overcrowding and oxygen supply issues.
The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, also pointed out how unfair the situation is for indigent Filipinos who have no choice but to rely on public hospitals. “Pwede mo bang sabihin sa mahihirap na pasyente na huwag munang magkasakit kasi hindi kayang i-accommodate sa ER?” he asked.
Duterte-era Funding for PGH
Go recalled that under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, the Office of the President consistently allocated monthly funds to PGH to support its services and growing patient demand.
“Noong panahon ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, taun-taon ay nagbibigay siya ng buwanang pondo para pandagdag sa budget ng PGH,” he noted. “Malaking tulong ito para sa mga pasyenteng walang ibang matatakbuhan kundi ang gobyerno.”
Pushing for More Hospital Beds
To address the long-term issue of overcapacity, Go highlighted his efforts to expand PGH’s bed capacity through Senate Bill No. 2928, which he principally sponsored and authored. The bill, already approved by both the Senate and House of Representatives, aims to increase the hospital’s bed capacity to 2,200.
“Meron din akong isinulong—bilang principal sponsor at isa sa mga authors ng Senate Bill 2928—upang dagdagan pa ang bed capacity ng PGH,” he shared. “Sana ay tuluyang maisabatas na ito dahil malaking tulong ito sa mga mahihirap na pasyente.”
What’s Next?
Go assured the public that the Senate Health Committee will tackle the issue in its upcoming hearings to come up with both short- and long-term solutions to the country’s healthcare challenges.
“Tututukan ito ng Senate Health Committee at tatalakayin sa susunod na pagdinig upang mabigyan ng solusyon at mas maisaayos ang serbisyong pangkalusugan na nais nating ilapit sa bawat Pilipino.”
PGH previously confirmed that its emergency room is operating at two to three times its ideal capacity, prompting the Department of Health (DOH) to advise patients to seek alternative hospitals while efforts are being made to ease the congestion.
With PGH struggling to accommodate patients, Go’s call for stronger government support couldn’t come at a better time. The question now is: will the government act fast enough to prevent an even bigger healthcare crisis?
Mar 29, 2025
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