TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat (PIA) -- The city government of Tacurong has assured its constituents that it is prioritizing their health and well-being by providing them with better and more accessible healthcare services.

The local government recently opened three health facilities to its charge, namely the Super Health Center (SHC), Tatap Center, and the People’s Dialysis Center.

Sen. Christopher Lawrence Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, turned over the SHC to local officials in Barangay Grino and pledged to infuse more funds once it’s operational.

"Itong Super Health Center, isinulong ko noong 2021. Dahil sa kakaikot ko po sa buong Pilipinas, marami pong mga munisipyo, lugar na wala pong sariling health facility. Ang ikinaganda po nito, diyan na po magpapakonsulta [I have promoted and advanced the establishment of the Super Health Center in 2021. Since I have traveled a lot all over the Philippines, I have seen that there are many municipalities and places that do not have their own health facilities for consultations], and it will also help decongest hospitals,” Go told local officials and other stakeholders.

Go explained that the SHC, funded under the Department of Health’s (DOH) Health Facility Enhancement Program, “is a polyclinic type of health center in rural areas that offers services” such as birthing, dental, x-ray, medical consultations, and laboratory services, among others.

He said that SHC will ensure that every constituent in the city has the opportunity to avail themselves of medical services during emergencies.

“Nagapasalamat gid kami diri sa barangay Grino tungod sining ginpatindog nga Super Health Center, dako gid nga benepisyo ini diri sa amon kag mga constituent [We are very grateful here in barangay Grino because of the construction of the Super Health Center. It is a great benefit to us and the constituents],” Barangay Captain Jose Tambagan Sr. told the Philippine Information Agency.

Set to operate this year, the new facility is aimed at providing improved medical services to address the primary healthcare needs of Tacurongnons (a moniker for the people of Tacurong), regardless of their economic or social status.

Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito also expressed appreciation to Go for pushing the establishment of SHC, saying “your contribution is not just about the important legislation, but [you have] authored tangible projects benefited by the Filipino people.”

Aside from Barangay Grino, the SHC will also serve the northern part of Tacurong City, namely barangays Ledesma, Tina, San Rafael, San Antonio, and Buenaflor.

Lechonsito also said that Go promised to support the operations of other health facilities for the people of Tacurong.

“Your support for our Dialysis Center and Tatap Center are just among the tangible interventions you make for our city, and with that, napakalaki po ng aming pasasalamat sa inyo [We are very grateful to you],” he told Go.

The Tatap Center, a city government-initiated facility, is “a medium version of a polyclinic and an improved version of a rural health unit,” which aims to provide medical assistance to the people, especially the senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The center also provides the indigent with burial assistance.

Meanwhile, the People's Dialysis Center, located within the City Hall compound, provides seamless and accessible dialysis for indigent patients undergoing medication and dialysis treatment.

Lechonsito said Tacurong City continues to commit itself to becoming better at governance and a model for other local governments in the Soccsksargen region.

The city government, he added, has showcased the “positive impact that a dedicated healthcare initiative can have on the overall well-being of a city and its constituents." (AMB – PIA Region 12)