SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go attended the vaccination rollout for Filipino seafarers in Intramuros, Manila on Friday, June 25, where he also distributed additional assistance to a total of 550 seafarers.

In a distribution activity held at the Associated Marine Officers and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) Building, beneficiaries received free meals and food packs from Go’s office. The activity was conducted in small batches and under strict compliance with health guidelines and restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Go urged the seafarers to get vaccinated not just to protect themselves against COVID-19 but their families and communities as well.

“Dapat magpabakuna na kayo. Kaya po hinihikayat ko ‘yung mga kababayan natin kung mahal niyo po ang inyong mga pamilya, mahal niyo po ang inyong mga anak, dapat po protektado kayo ng bakuna. Ang bakuna lang po ang tanging solusyon o susi para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” said Go.

He added that the government worked hard to procure the vaccines which is why they must be immediately utilized and not go to waste.

“Ang amin po dito, gusto namin protektahan niyo po ang mga seafarers kaya pinaglaban natin, along with Secretary (Carlito) Galvez na malagay po kayo sa priority list kasi po kayo ‘yung napapalayo dito sa ating bansa para magtrabaho, kaya dapat protektado kayo,” said Go.

“Huwag niyo pong sayangin ang bakuna dahil pinaghirapan po ito ng gobyerno,” he added.

Meanwhile, Go assured the seafarers and all Filipinos that there is “light at the end of the tunnel”. However, he reminded them to continue complying with health protocols to protect the population while we are trying to attain herd immunity once more Filipinos are vaccinated.

“May pag-asa tayo, pero ‘yung pag-asang ‘yan nakasalalay po sa atin, sa kooperasyon po ninyo. Kaya magpabakuna na po kayo. ‘Yun lang po ang pakiusap namin ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte. Ako naman po bukas ang aming opisina para po sa inyong lahat, magtulungan lang po tayo,” said Go.

“Isipin niyo na rin po habang nagbabakuna kayo, huwag kayo maging kumpyansa. Mask, face shield pa rin. Napatunayan naman natin kapag naka mask ka, 85 porsyento (protektado ka). Ngayon nire-require ni Pangulong Duterte ang face shield dahil may Delta variant. ‘Pag medyo hindi na ganun ka delikado ‘yung Delta variant, maaaring magbago po ang kanyang desisyon. Pero tandaan ninyo, lahat po ng desisyon ng ating mahal na Pangulo ay para po ‘yan sa interes at kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino,” Go assured.

Brenda Cruz Zamora, a seafarer and one of the beneficiaries, thanked the Senator and the government for all the assistance and support she received.

“Sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno, salamat po sa kanila. Dahil kung wala sila, ‘di rin mabubuo ang araw na ito, sa Araw ng Seafarers. Naramdaman ko na pinahalagahan na araw pala naming mga seafarer,” she said.

“Sa vaccine, wala naman masakit… at masaya po ako dahil vaccinated na ako ng first dose. Masaya ako dahil magagamit ko ‘yun sa trabaho and also to protect me and my family habang wala pa kaming sakay,” she added.

Zamora also expressed her delight to meet Go, saying, “Kay Senator Bong Go, it’s a pleasure po na makilala kayo. Proud ako na nakilala ko kayo at naramdaman ko po at narinig kayong magsalita.”

“Napaka-honest, truthful kayo sa mga taong sineserbisyuhan niyo. Thank you. Pati na kay Pangulong Duterte, ‘di mangyayari ‘tong araw na ‘to kung ‘di po dahil sa inyo,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development also extended its assistance to the beneficiaries through its existing programs.

As the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go, then, informed the beneficiaries that there are four Malasakit Centers across the City of Manila that they can visit if they may need medical assistance.

Beneficiaries can go the nearest Malasakit Centers located in Philippine General Hospital, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, and San Lazaro Hospital aside from the 121 Malasakit Centers established nationwide.

The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 aims to bring the hospital bills of particularly poor and indigent patients to the lowest amount possible. The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop where DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and PhilHealth join together in giving convenient access to medical assistance programs of government.

Go also thanked officials for making the program possible, including vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Chair Greco Belgica, and Marino Partylist Representative Macnell Lusotan, among others.

For promoting the interests and welfare of all seafarers, Go also expressed his gratitude to Maritime Industry Authority officials, namely Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, and the rest of MARINA Department Heads, Regional Directors, awardees, employees, and all seafarers.

Earlier, Go successfully appealed on behalf of seafareres and overseas Filipino workers to be vaccinated by being included in the priority category given the nature of their work.

He also supported their appeal to consider the requirements needed for them to resume their work abroad, such as the need to be inoculated with vaccines that are acceptable in their countries of destination, as well as the necessary documentation to prove that they have been vaccinated.

Go also co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 2234 or the Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos bill. The measure is a consolidated version of his earlier proposed measure that aims to create the Department of Overseas Filipinos.

If passed, SBN 2234 will establish the DMWOF, a department primarily mandated to formulate, recommend and implement national policies, plans, programs and guidelines that protect overseas Filipinos, including OFWs, as well as promote their interests and resolve issues concerning them in a timely and effective manner.

The DMWOF will be responsible for providing all relevant social and welfare services, including insurance, social work assistance and legal assistance, as well as administer reintegration and social service programs to overseas Filipinos. It shall also provide Assistance to Nationals services, especially during times of emergencies, such as pandemic or war.

The bill is set for interpellation in the Senate plenary once the Congress session resumes in July.

Bong Go: Gov’t balances health protection, economy reopening

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go assured that the government continues to balance the need to protect the health and well-being of Filipinos while reopening the economy amid the ongoing threats caused by the pandemic.

“Ginagawa naman po ng gobyerno ang lahat ng dapat. Actually, base po sa datos, malaki po ang naging improvement sa pagpapatupad ng ating quarantine measures. Binabalanse po ‘yan,” Go said in an ambush interview after he attended the Day of the Seafarers 2021 event at the MARINA Building, Port Area in Manila.

“So, habang patuloy tayong nagbabakuna, binabalanse naman po ng gobyerno ang lahat, (lalo na pagdating sa) pagbubukas ng ekonomiya. Importante po hindi bumagsak ang ating healthcare system, ang mga ospital importante po hindi mapuno, ‘yun po ang nakakatakot na umabot ng puno na, nasa labas na sila ng ospital, wala na silang patutunguhan,” he added.

Go expressed optimism that there is “light at the end of the tunnel” as the government hopes to vaccinate more Filipinos and reach herd immunity soon.

“Pero may nakikita naman po akong pag-asa… there is light at the end of the tunnel. Kita n’yo naman po kapag sa ibang bansa, ‘pag tuloy tuloy ang pagbabakuna, tingnan n’yo po ang Estados Unidos, ‘yung NBA sa mga basketball fans, nakakapanood na po sila. Ngayon ay semi-finals na tayo, nakakapanood na sila, may crowd na sila,” he said, citing examples in other countries of gatherings being allowed for fully vaccinated citizens.

Go further emphasized the importance of adhering to the approved list of groups and sectors that are prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccination. He also urged those who are qualified based on the priority list to get vaccinated immediately and not waste the opportunity to get the protection needed against COVID-19.

“So, ngayon ang mga senior citizen nasa priority list, kapag nabakunahan ay makakalabas na sila (ng bahay). Priority ang mga senior citizen, persons with comorbidities kasi sila po ang vulnerable. Of course, nakarating na tayo sa economic frontliners, essential workers then pati po seafarers ay kasama na rin po kaya sabi ko kanina magpabakuna na rin po kayo,” Go said.

“Mas maiging protektado po kayo sa sakit na COVID-19 kapag bakunado na po kayo. May mga pamilya po kayo, kung mahal n’yo ang inyong pamilya, magpabakuna na po kayo, libre naman po ito,” he added.

Meanwhile, Go shared that seafarers will be offered appropriate vaccines acceptable in their respective countries of destination. This would allow them to return to work immediately given certain requirements as part of their employment particularly when it comes to vaccination.

“Ito naman pong seafarers, nababalitaan namin na may iilang mga bansa na hindi pumapayag na hindi po itong specific brands ang ituturok sa kanila kaya naniniguro rin ang ating gobyerno to encourage seafarers na magpabakuna,” Go said.

“Kung meron silang pangamba na hindi sila papapasukin doon sa mga bansang pupuntahan nila mas mabuti na ‘yung ito ang i-offer mo sa kanila dahil alam nilang ito ang tatanggapin sa bansang pagtatrabahuhan nila,” he added, referring to various vaccine brand preferences of certain countries.

Go said that the government will continue to expedite and even out the distribution of vaccines among Filipinos to ensure fairness and efficiency of rollout.

“Kapag may dumating na bakuna ngayon, binabalanse nila sa mga pasok sa priority list at kung pwede na bang bakunahan ang nasa priority list na ‘di mauubos ang stock ng bakuna,” said Go.

“Pinag-aaralan rin palagi na ‘di maexpire, baka sumobra naman at walang magpabakuna so bubuksan na naman ang next priority list… ito ang supply… So, araw-araw pinag-aaralan ng IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases) ‘yan,” he assured.

Meanwhile, Go urged law enforcement authorities to intensify its fight against those offering fake vaccines as they pose danger to the health of Filipinos and the overall fight against COVID-19.

“Sa mga awtoridad natin, dapat po hulihin ‘yan dahil the more na may kumakalat na peke ‘di po makakatulong sa ating vaccination program ‘yan. And the more na nababalitaan na may peke, the more sila na matatakot,” said Go.

“Nakikiusap po ako sa inyo hulihin po agad ang manloloko at nagpapakalat ng fake news. Kapag nahuli n’yo po ang mga manloloko dapat sila po ang turukan n’yo ng bakuna,” he ended.

On Thursday, it has come to the attention of authorities that some individuals in Pasay City are distributing fliers alleging that fake COVID-19 vaccines are being administered in some areas.