Bong Go: Intensify vax drive, avoid wastage
SENATOR and Chair of the Senate Committee on Health Christopher “Bong” Go, in a statement, has urged the government to continue its collaborative efforts with the private sector and other stakeholders to ensure that vaccines and booster shots against COVID-19 reach the people who need them and avoid expiration or wastage.
“I also urge the national government, together with LGUs, community leaders and the private sector, to intensify our collaborative efforts in encouraging everyone to get vaccinated with booster shots in order to keep our communities safe,” said Go.
He also asked the public not to be complacent despite the improving pandemic situation, noting that COVID-19 is still around.
“Hanggang nandiyan pa ang COVID-19, huwag tayong magkumpiyansa dahil delikado pa. Ang bakuna ang susi para makabalik tayo sa normal na pamumuhay,” Go reminded.
Meanwhile, Go said that the Committee on Health is prepared to conduct a hearing if Senate Resolution No. 92 filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros is referred to the committee. The said resolution seeks to look into reports on the supposed wastage of billions of pesos worth of COVID-19 vaccines.
“As the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, once the resolution is referred to us, we will immediately conduct a hearing on the status of our COVID-19 response including the reported expiring vaccines,” said Go.
“Tulad ng sabi ko noon, pinaghirapan po natin na bilhin iyang mga bakuna laban sa COVID-19. Kaya pagtulungan dapat nating lahat na walang masasayang, at makakarating ang mga ito sa mga kuwalipikadong mga kababayan natin na hindi pa bakunado kahit saanmang sulok ng Pilipinas,” he added.
Meanwhile, in line with his filed resolution to look into the country’s preparedness against monkeypox, Go said that he will also ask the Department of Health on the steps they have taken and inform the public of the necessary health protocols considering the first recorded case of monkeypox in the country.
“All these issues will be discussed and should be answered by our health authorities and experts during the Committee on Health hearings,” Go concluded.
On August 1, Go, together with Senator Robinhood Padilla, filed Senate Resolution No. 84 directing the Health and Demography Committee to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the preparedness of the country to contain and suppress monkeypox which has been declared by the World Health Organization as a public health emergency of international concern, with the end view of preventing the overburdening of the healthcare system.
