SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go told reporters that President Rodrigo Duterte has already instructed the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases to immediately deploy vaccines to high risk areas amid reports of rising COVID-19 cases.

“Kagabi po nakausap namin ni Pangulong Duterte ang some members of the IATF. Sabi ni Pangulong Duterte, i-deploy na agad ang mga bakuna, lalo na sa critical areas, high risk areas. Halimbawa na lang po tumaas ang cases sa Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, mga ganung areas po,” shared Go during the launch of the 119th Malasakit Center at the National Children’s Hospital in Quezon City on Monday, June 14.

The Senator cited the current situation in Metro Manila as an example for the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.

“Kita n’yo, Metro Manila, tumaas noong Marso pero nung dumating ang mga bakuna, nag-stabilize na po. Ngayon po, health workers natin, nakakatuwa 85% po ng healthworkers natin dito sa Children’s Hospital ang nagpabakuna. Ibig sabihin, tumataas na po ang tiwala ng mga kababayan natin (sa bakuna),” he added.

“Ang gusto po ni Pangulong Duterte, i-deploy po sa pinakasulok po na mga lugar dito sa ating bansa dahil based on experience kapag nakadeploy na ang bakuna, medyo na-stabilize na tayo. Halimbawa, NCR (National Capital Region) nakita n’yo ‘di na masyadong napupuno ang mga ospital,” he added.

Noting the rising number of cases in some parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, Go expressed urgency in preventing their local healthcare systems from collapsing.

“Doon naman po sa probinsya sa Visayas at Mindanao, nandun naman nagkakaroon ng full capacity at ‘di natin ma-afford na bumagsak ang healthcare system doon,” said Go.

“Ganito po kasi, halimbawa, ang Dipolog (City), sila ang sentro. Ang mga kapit-munisipyo po, marami ang tumatakbo doon sa DOH (Department of Health) hospital at provincial hospital nila, nagkakapunuan po. Ganun po ang nangyayari sa ngayon. ‘Yun ang ayaw nating mangyari kaya sabi ni Pangulo, i-deploy agad ang mga bakuna sa mga lugar aside from deploying the healthcare workers at ‘yung kapasidad nila na ‘di mapuno ang mga ospital,” he explained.

Go mentioned that the strict health protocols in the country ordered by President Duterte will eventually pay off. He added that he and the president will always prioritize the protection of lives of Filipinos.

“Kaya tayo mas istrikto, si Pangulong Duterte gusto n’ya mas istrikto dahil importante sa amin ni Pangulong Duterte ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Uulitin ko, ang pera ay kikitain natin pero ang perang kikitain natin ay ‘di mabibili ang buhay,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Senator continued to remind vaccinated individuals to complete their COVID-19 doses. “Alam n’yo ‘di ko maintindihan bakit ‘di kayo bumabalik sa second dose, eh, naka-lista naman po ‘yun kelan kayo babalik.”

“‘Wag n’yo po sayangin ang second dose kesa po mag-expire ‘yun, masira, ‘wag n’yo po sayangin ‘yun. I’m sure ‘yung gobyerno naman po kapag malapit na mag-expire ibibigay naman nila sa iba ‘yan. Sa lahat po ng naka-first dose na po, nakikiusap po ako sa inyo kulang po ang first dose. Marami pong mga requirement po na dapat pasok kayo sa second dose,” he added.

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Bong Go spends birthday helping sick children

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go commended the government’s continuing efforts to address the barriers to health and medical care that indigent patients face amid an ongoing pandemic.

On his birthday, Go personally attended the launch of the country’s 119th Malasakit Center at the National Children’s Hospital in Quezon City on Monday, June 14.

The NCH, a leading provider of pediatric care, is the 24th hospital in Metro Manila and ninth in Quezon City to open a Malasakit Center. Other hospitals include the East Avenue Medical Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, Novaliches District Hospital, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine Orthopedic Center, and Veterans Memorial Medical Center.

In his remarks delivered during the ceremony, Go reiterated his commitment to push for measures to improve access to quality health care nationwide. He acknowledged that the need to protect Filipinos from COVID-19 has made it challenging for many individuals to access vital health services and even harder for providers to deliver critical care at this time.

“Bilang inyong Chair ng Senate Committee on Health, patuloy kong ipaglalaban ang mga batas na mag-iimprove sa ating mga lokal na ospital. Hindi ako titigil dahil alam ko ang sitwasyon sa baba at alam ko ang makikinabang dito ay ‘yung mga mahihirap,” began Go.

“Wala pang COVID, umaabot na ng 400 percent ang mga occupancy rate. Ngayon na may pandemya, mas kailangan pa natin mag-invest sa ating health care system para matugunan ang mga pangangailangang medikal ng mga Pilipino,” he continued.

To address the pervasive disparities in health care access, the Senator principally authored and sponsored the measure that became Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019.

The center brings together the various government agencies which offer medical assistance for poor and indigent patients. These agencies include the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

“Nakakatuwa marinig na wala daw lumalabas sa ospital na ito na hindi masaya. Pakiusap, huwag niyo pababayaan ang mga bata at pamilya natin na walang matakbuhan sa panahon ngayon,” said Go.

”Palaging sinasabi ni Pangulo [Rodrigo] Duterte na kung anong pera mayro’n ang gobyerno, ibalik natin ‘yan sa tao dahil pera naman nila ‘yan,” he added.

After the launching of the Malasakit Center, the Senator was personally greeted on his birthday by the young cancer patients and their family members at the Oncology Unit. He vowed to extend any necessary support and proceeded to give each one a present to encourage them on their journey towards healing and recovery.

“Sana, ang wish ko lang sa inyo ay humaba pa ang inyong mga buhay. Tutulungan namin kayo ni Pangulong Duterte. Maraming salamat,” Go said to the young patients.