Senator Christopher “Bong” Go reaffirmed his support for the Department of Health (DOH) 2026 proposed budget during the Senate deliberations on Thursday, October 1, but underscored that budget approval must go hand in hand with accountability and efficiency in ensuring that health facilities are fully operational and beneficial to the people.
Go reminded DOH that he has repeatedly raised the same concerns in previous hearings. “Matagal ko na pong pinapaalala sa inyo, several hearings na po. We have also consistently reminded the DOH to ensure these health facilities are completed and properly equipped. Matagal ko na ‘yan sinasabi. Every hearing, pinapaalala ko ‘yan sa inyo,” he declared.
To illustrate his point, Go presented examples where local government units (LGUs) had gone the extra mile by providing their own counterpart funding to improve health facilities.
“Good news naman po. Meron po akong nakita na (Super) Health Centers na pinaganda po ng LGU. Sila mismo, nagbigay ng kanilang counterpart. Nag-fund po sila ng sarili nilang pondo. Halimbawa po, ipakita natin ‘yung sa Imus… Gen. Tri (General Trias), pinaganda po nila parang hospital,” he explained.
“‘Yan sa Gen. Tri, ginawa nila parang hospital. May aircon pa ‘yung Super Health Center. Yun lang po ‘yung paalala ko sa inyo muli. Sa DOH, please make it operational at huwag po maging white elephant,” Go added, stressing the importance of turning infrastructure into functional services for Filipinos.
The senator pointed out the pressing need for accessible outpatient care. “‘Yung walang pera, ayaw pumunta ng hospital until namamatay na sila. So that’s why mas mahal ng gastos namin. But if they can be taken care of on an outpatient basis, nakakatulong talaga,” Go emphasized.
He explained that programs such as the Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) Center and the Yaman ng Kalusugan (YAKAP) initiative are designed to treat patients on an ambulatory basis free of charge, and that Super Health Centers should serve the same purpose in communities.
Go also focused on the challenge of staffing these facilities. “Our goal now is to make the health of the Super Health Centers become operational. Kasi natayo na. It’s built already. But matutulungan n’yo sila dito sa mga personnel po? Yes. ‘Yung 60% na problema ay mga personnel po,” he remarked, underscoring that most issues lie in the lack of health workers. He reminded that LGUs, upon accepting national government funding, committed to hiring personnel for these centers, and must therefore take responsibility.
“‘Pag meron nakatenggang white elephant na pinondohan ng national government, answerable dapat siya. And then, I can hold him to that promise na,” Go said, adding that coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) could be necessary to address cases where LGUs neglect their duties.
Go also turned his attention to hospitals, lamenting the reported slow pace of construction in some areas. “Not only sa Health Centers po, pati sa mga hospital, baka pwede n’yong matulungan through HPEP po itong mga hospitals na to make it operational. Yun naman po ang goal natin dito, magagamit po ‘yung hospital, hindi ‘yung by phase na sobrang tagal, ilang taon na po, minsan, hindi na talaga nagagamit,” he explained.
He called on the DOH to properly account and utilize its Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) funding to ensure hospitals are completed and not left unfinished.
The senator raised a query over the role of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for health projects worth more than PhP 5 million. He expressed concern that controversies surrounding DPWH could also be applicable in the health sector.
“Is it proper to continue relying on DPWH in the construction of health facilities? The health facilities costing more than PhP 5 million are implemented by the DPWH. With the controversies currently hounding the DPWH, pag-aralan n’yo po ito ng mabuti. We should be prudent about relying on DPWH. Ayaw natin ang anomalya at matulad po sa flood control ang mga health facilities na ito since PhP 5 million and above ay napupunta po sa DPWH,” Go said.
For Go,: regardless of the implementing agency, taxpayers deserve assurance that funds are used properly. “Whether DPWH, whether DOH, pera ng taong bayan, dapat walang ghost project dito, walang masasayang na punto ng taong bayan. Ilang pasyente po matutulungan ‘yan kung na-implementa po ng maayos,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, another senator suggested that smaller projects, especially those valued at PhP 20 million and below, could be better managed by LGUs rather than DPWH.
By pressing for accountability from DOH, LGUs, and DPWH alike, Go emphasized that public health projects must never be reduced to mere construction statistics. They must serve as lifelines for communities, especially for the poor who rely on public services for survival.
