Senator Bong Go wants clinics in all public elementary, secondary schools

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go is pushing for the institutionalization of school clinics in all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide, citing serious deficiencies in on-site health facilities and personnel that directly affect students’ well-being and learning conditions.

Through Senate Bill No. 1780, Go stressed that access to basic healthcare in schools remains uneven and inadequate, particularly in rural and geographically isolated areas, and emphasized that educational outcomes are closely linked to the health status of learners.

“Data from the Department of Education showed that only 28% or about 13,081 schools out of 47,013 public schools nationwide have school clinics,” he said, warning that the situation leaves many students without immediate access to basic medical care during school hours.

Go described the shortfall as a major weakness in the delivery of youth-focused health services, especially within the school setting where children spend most of their day.

He noted that while the Department of Education (DepEd) has set a goal of ensuring at least one functional clinic or health corner in every public school, actual conditions remain far from that target.

According to him, “many still lack proper health facilities, medical equipment, or full-time health personnel, especially in rural and remote areas.”

He said Senate Bill No. 1780 directly addresses this gap by mandating the establishment of a school clinic in every public elementary and secondary school nationwide.

The measure, he explained, goes beyond administrative compliance and recognizes the strong connection between student health and the quality of education.

Central to the bill’s rationale is the view that good health is essential to meaningful learning. In his explanatory note, Go stated that “by institutionalizing school clinics, the State recognizes that quality education cannot be achieved without healthy learners.”

Under the proposal, all public elementary and secondary schools operated by the DepEd would be required to maintain a functional school clinic.

Existing facilities would be assessed and, if necessary, upgraded or expanded to meet the standards set by the proposed law.

These clinics are envisioned to provide basic medical, dental, and first-aid services to students, teachers, and school personnel, and to be equipped with sufficient medical supplies and sanitation facilities.

The measure further provides that each clinic shall serve as the primary health service unit within the school, covering first aid and emergency care, basic medical and nursing services, health screening and monitoring, health education, disease prevention programs, and nutrition assessment and counseling.

To ensure effective implementation, each clinic would be staffed by at least one school nurse or qualified health personnel, working under the supervision of DepEd and in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and concerned local government units.

Construction and upgrading of school clinics are proposed to be completed within five years from the law’s effectivity, with priority given to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, schools without existing clinics, schools located in high-risk disaster zones, and institutions with large student populations.

Under the bill, DepEd would oversee planning and integration, the Department of Public Works and Highways would serve as the lead agency for design and construction, local government units would provide possible counterpart support, and the DOH would set standards for clinic layout and medical functionality.

-Paraluman News