STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan — Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go led the inauguration of an additional Super Health Center (SHC) on Sept. 5 to improve and provide support for the health needs of Pangasinan residents.
Located at Barangay Cayanga in San Fabian town, the 11th SHC in the province will serve 34 barangays, offering residents convenient access to essential healthcare services. The center will provide immediate care, including laboratory tests and consultations with doctors.
As the chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go is a strong advocate for improving healthcare access, particularly in underserved communities.
He highlighted the critical role of government healthcare initiatives in serving the community, stressing that these efforts are designed to effectively reach and benefit all Filipinos, especially those in underserved areas.
“As medium-sized polyclinic, dito na po kayo magpacheck-up. Made-decongest pa ang hospitals,” Go urged residents.
(As a medium-sized polyclinic, you can now have your check-ups here. This will also help reduce the congestion in hospitals.)
The health center will offer a range of medical services benefiting residents, including database management, outpatient care, birthing services, isolation, diagnostic tests (laboratory, x-ray, and ultrasound), pharmacy, an ambulatory surgical unit, eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) care, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and telemedicine for remote diagnosis and treatment.
“It costs a total of P12 million—P10 million for the building and P2 million for the equipment,” said San Fabian Mayor Marlyn Agbayani.
“San Fabian town has three rural health units, and this Super Health Center will serve as an additional facility to further enhance healthcare services in town,” she added.
Meanwhile, Michelle Perez, a 26-year-old resident of Barangay Sobol, expressed her gratitude for the establishment of the Super Health Center in the town, claiming that it will significantly improve access to medical services for the community.
“Masaya ako dahil ginhawa na magkaroon ng ganitong health center sa San Fabian. Hindi ko kailangan pang bumiyahe sa ibang bayan. Ngayon, makakakuha na ako ng check-up at iba pang serbisyong medikal nang hindi na kailangan pang lumabas ng San Fabian,” she said.
(I am happy because it is a relief to have this health center in San Fabian. I no longer need to travel to other towns. Now, I can get check-ups and other medical services without having to leave San Fabian.)
In total, 26 Super Health Centers will be put up in Pangasinan to enhance healthcare access for its residents. These centers will be built in various towns across the province, including Agno, Alcala, Anda, Asingan, Bani, Calasiao, Laoac, Mabini, Malasiqui (two centers), Mangatarem, San Manuel, San Nicolas, San Quintin, and Sison.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), SHCs are currently operational in the cities of Alaminos and Dagupan, as well as in the towns of Balungao, Basista, Binalonan, Manaoag, Mapandan, San Fabian, Tayug, Umingan, and Urbiztondo.
With the support of the health department, Go reaffirmed that over 600 Super Health Centers will be established across the Philippines.
The creation of Super Health Centers aligns with the goal of Republic Act No. 11223, also known as the Universal Health Care Act, to expand the reach and improve the effectiveness of primary care services nationwide. (PIA Pangasinan)
