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Advocates Philippines
Go Pushes: Make Health Centers Work
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Senator Christopher “Bong” Go is calling on the Department of Health (DOH) and local government units (LGUs) to strengthen coordination so that public health facilities are completed, operational, and truly accessible to Filipinos—especially in far-flung areas.
During a Senate Committee on Health and Demography hearing on May 11, Go raised concern over reports that some government health facilities remain unfinished or unused due to gaps in coordination between national and local authorities.
“Ang importante po rito complement each other, hindi po kayo kailangang mag-away. Magtulungan po kayo dahil kailangan kayo, kailangan po ng mga LGU 'yang pasilidad (ng DOH),”
He warned that lack of cooperation risks turning much-needed health infrastructure into “white elephant” projects—public investments that fail to serve their intended purpose.
“Marami pong mga probinsya o mga LGUs na umaasa po sa DOH kasi kayo naman po ang may pera. Lalung lalo na po 'yung mga LGUs na mga 4th class municipalities na wala pong kakayahan talaga magpatayo ng mga pasilidad dahil wala po silang pondo,” he said.
Go stressed that many lower-income municipalities simply cannot fund or complete major health projects on their own, making national government intervention crucial—particularly through the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP).
He also pointed to recurring issues where agencies and LGUs appear to blame each other for delays or incomplete projects, instead of working together to ensure delivery of services.
“Noon pa man, naging consistent at hindi tayo nagkulang sa ating paalala sa mga implementing offices. Huwag maging white elephant. Huwag iwanan at siguruhin na mapapakinabangan," Go added.
The senator highlighted the Super Health Centers (SHC) program as a key initiative designed to bring basic healthcare closer to communities, especially in geographically isolated areas of the country.
"Maganda po ang layunin nitong Super Health Centers para mapalapit ang medical services sa ating mga kababayan lalo na sa malalayong lugar. Dapat bawat pisong inilalaan ng gobyerno para sa mga proyekto ay ramdam ng mga Pilipino, lalung lalo na 'yung mga pinakanangangailangan ng tulong medikal," he said.
Go cited the Super Health Center in Tingloy, Batangas as an example of a successful project, noting how it significantly reduced the burden of travel for residents who previously had to go far just to access medical care.
"Gusto ko lang pong gawing halimbawa 'yung sa Batangas, sa Tingloy. Ayan po, island po ito, isang oras ang biyahe papunta sa Batangas and another one hour yata sa Batangas Medical Center. Maganda po 'yung ginawa nila doon. Proyekto po iyan ng DOH at salamat po sa mga natapos at magagandang proyekto. Napapakinabangan po," Go said.
He also mentioned similar coordinated efforts in areas such as Sarangani, Davao Occidental, Iloilo, and Bukidnon, where collaboration between national agencies and LGUs has helped improve access to healthcare facilities.
"These exemplifies what can be achieved when the national government and local government units complement each other, ensuring that infrastructure projects become fully operational and do not end up as white elephant projects," he said.
Go emphasized that while agreements are already in place before projects begin, the national government must step in when LGUs lack the capacity to sustain or operate health facilities.
"Mayroon pong kasunduan ang DOH at LGU bago umpisahan ang mga proyektong ito. Pero kung hindi kaya ng LGU, trabaho ng national government na tulungan ang mga LGUs," he said.
He further called on the DOH to provide updates and ensure that completed Super Health Centers and other health facilities are not only finished on paper but are fully operational and serving the public as intended.
During a Senate Committee on Health and Demography hearing on May 11, Go raised concern over reports that some government health facilities remain unfinished or unused due to gaps in coordination between national and local authorities.
“Ang importante po rito complement each other, hindi po kayo kailangang mag-away. Magtulungan po kayo dahil kailangan kayo, kailangan po ng mga LGU 'yang pasilidad (ng DOH),”
He warned that lack of cooperation risks turning much-needed health infrastructure into “white elephant” projects—public investments that fail to serve their intended purpose.
“Marami pong mga probinsya o mga LGUs na umaasa po sa DOH kasi kayo naman po ang may pera. Lalung lalo na po 'yung mga LGUs na mga 4th class municipalities na wala pong kakayahan talaga magpatayo ng mga pasilidad dahil wala po silang pondo,” he said.
Go stressed that many lower-income municipalities simply cannot fund or complete major health projects on their own, making national government intervention crucial—particularly through the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP).
He also pointed to recurring issues where agencies and LGUs appear to blame each other for delays or incomplete projects, instead of working together to ensure delivery of services.
“Noon pa man, naging consistent at hindi tayo nagkulang sa ating paalala sa mga implementing offices. Huwag maging white elephant. Huwag iwanan at siguruhin na mapapakinabangan," Go added.
The senator highlighted the Super Health Centers (SHC) program as a key initiative designed to bring basic healthcare closer to communities, especially in geographically isolated areas of the country.
"Maganda po ang layunin nitong Super Health Centers para mapalapit ang medical services sa ating mga kababayan lalo na sa malalayong lugar. Dapat bawat pisong inilalaan ng gobyerno para sa mga proyekto ay ramdam ng mga Pilipino, lalung lalo na 'yung mga pinakanangangailangan ng tulong medikal," he said.
Go cited the Super Health Center in Tingloy, Batangas as an example of a successful project, noting how it significantly reduced the burden of travel for residents who previously had to go far just to access medical care.
"Gusto ko lang pong gawing halimbawa 'yung sa Batangas, sa Tingloy. Ayan po, island po ito, isang oras ang biyahe papunta sa Batangas and another one hour yata sa Batangas Medical Center. Maganda po 'yung ginawa nila doon. Proyekto po iyan ng DOH at salamat po sa mga natapos at magagandang proyekto. Napapakinabangan po," Go said.
He also mentioned similar coordinated efforts in areas such as Sarangani, Davao Occidental, Iloilo, and Bukidnon, where collaboration between national agencies and LGUs has helped improve access to healthcare facilities.
"These exemplifies what can be achieved when the national government and local government units complement each other, ensuring that infrastructure projects become fully operational and do not end up as white elephant projects," he said.
Go emphasized that while agreements are already in place before projects begin, the national government must step in when LGUs lack the capacity to sustain or operate health facilities.
"Mayroon pong kasunduan ang DOH at LGU bago umpisahan ang mga proyektong ito. Pero kung hindi kaya ng LGU, trabaho ng national government na tulungan ang mga LGUs," he said.
He further called on the DOH to provide updates and ensure that completed Super Health Centers and other health facilities are not only finished on paper but are fully operational and serving the public as intended.
May 12, 2026
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