MANILA, Philippines 鈥� On Sunday, February 16, Senator Christopher 鈥淏ong鈥� Go, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, joined the 50th-anniversary celebration of the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) at the Manila Hotel, where he was honored with the Golden Legacy Award in recognition of his unwavering commitment to strengthening the country鈥檚 healthcare system.聽聽
In his speech, Go expressed profound gratitude to the officials, led by Executive Director Dr. Avenilo Aventura, Jr., doctors, nurses, and staff of PHC for their dedication and 鈥渕alasakit鈥� in providing life-saving cardiac care to Filipinos for the past five decades.聽聽
鈥淏inabati ko ang Philippine Heart Center sa kanilang ika-50 anibersaryo. Limampung taon ng dedikasyon, malasakit, at pagliligtas ng buhay鈥攊sang ginintuang pamana na kailangang ipagdiwang at ipagpatuloy,鈥� Go said.聽聽聽
The event also gathered other key figures in the medical and public service sectors, including Former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, Founding Chairperson of the Philippine Heart Center and Heart Foundation of the Philippines, Inc.; PhilHealth President Dr. Edwin Mercado; National Kidney and Transplant Institute Executive Director Dr. Rosemarie Rose Liquete, Rizal Medical Center Chief of Hospital聽 Dra. Maria Rica Lumague and Jose Reyes Memorial Hospital Chief of Hospital Dr. Wenceslao Llauderes and Southern Philippines Medical Center聽 Medical Center Chief Dr. Ricardo Audan, among others.聽
Go shared a personal story, revealing that his own son also experienced a heart-related health complication.
Despite the challenge, his son never allowed it to hinder his education and persevered in his studies, recently passing the board exam and graduating valedictorian of his law school class.聽聽聽
As a staunch advocate for accessible healthcare, Go reassured PHC of his full support, highlighting his initiatives to bring medical services closer to Filipinos.
He mentioned the continued operations of Malasakit Centers, the establishment of more Super Health Centers, and the enactment of the Regional Specialty Centers Law, which aim to provide medical assistance, primary care, and specialized care respectively closer to the people in need.聽聽
He also announced that he pushed for funding for the construction of a halfway house in PHC to assist patient watchers, particularly those who travel all the way from the provinces to seek treatment.
鈥淎lam ko po ang hirap ng mga pasyente at ng kanilang mga bantay na galing pa sa malalayong lugar. Kaya itinulak ko ang pondo para sa pagtatayo ng halfway house sa Philippine Heart Center upang may mas maayos silang matutuluyan habang nagpapagamot ang kanilang mahal sa buhay,鈥� he explained.
Go also took the opportunity to report his ongoing efforts to push PhilHealth to improve its benefit packages, particularly for treatments and medical devices related to heart disease and hypertension鈥攕ome of the top causes of mortality in the country.
鈥淛ust recently, PhilHealth expanded its benefit package to treat heart attacks, with some treatments increasing coverage to P524,000 from P30,300鈥攁n increase of 1,600%,鈥� he announced.
Despite these significant strides, Go emphasized that his work is far from over, vowing to continue advocating for improved healthcare services for Filipinos.
Despite receiving the Golden Legacy Award, Go humbly stated that his commitment to public service remains unwavering, with or without recognition.
鈥淲ith or without an award, ako po ay patuloy lang na magseserbisyo sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino, lalo na 鈥榶ung mga walang wala at mahihirap nating kababayan. Ipagpapatuloy ko ang aking pagseserbisyo sa abot ng aking makakaya,鈥� Go underscored.聽聽
The golden anniversary celebration of PHC served as a tribute to its five decades of excellence in cardiovascular care and a reaffirmation of its mission to save lives and promote heart health for future generations.
Aside from the PHC anniversary, Go also attended the 22nd anniversary celebration of Kabalikat sa Serbisyong Tunay Inc., where he recognized the organization鈥檚 continuous commitment to serving Filipinos through various humanitarian efforts.聽
Additionally, he joined the Unity Gathering of Barangay Captains of the 5th District of Manila for the PDP-Laban Senatorial Slate in Manila, where he reaffirmed his support for local leaders and underscored the importance of grassroots leadership in nation-building.