SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go has filed a measure seeking to require the establishment of a school clinic in every public elementary and secondary school in the country.

Under Senate Bill 1780, or the proposed Mandatory School Clinics Act, Go cited Department of Education data showing that only 28 percent of public schools—about 13,081 out of 47,013 nationwide—currently have functional school clinics.

He said the figures highlight a significant gap in the delivery of basic healthcare services within the education system, particularly for students in underserved and remote communities.

“While the Department of Education aims to have at least one functional school clinic or health corner in every public school, many still lack proper health facilities, medical equipment, or full-time health personnel, especially in rural and remote areas,” Go said in his explanatory note.

The proposed measure aims to institutionalize the creation of school clinics in all public schools nationwide, ensuring immediate access to basic health services for students.

Go emphasized that access to healthcare in schools is essential to student welfare, noting that quality education cannot be fully achieved without healthy learners.