Bong Go: Pandemic response efforts must be free of politics, corruption
SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go expressed high confidence in the Government’s management of the COVID-19 crisis but swore to hold accountable any public official found to be engaged in acts of corruption or malfeasance.
“Malaki ang tiwala ko sa gobyerno, kay Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. at Secretary Carlos Dominguez na ni piso wala dapat masayang. Kasi kapag mayro’n nanakaw at mawala, ako mismo ang magsasalita at magsasabi kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na kasuhan sila. Kung may pagdududa na may kalokohan, ako mismo ang papalag at magkakaso sa mga taong pumasok sa katiwalian. Hindi kami papayag ni Pangulong Duterte na may masasayang ni kahit piso,” said Go.
The senator went on to caution Filipinos to refrain from spreading false or unverified information that could affect the public’s perception of the COVID-19 vaccine process, undermine its rollout, and aggravate the country’s health situation.
“Hindi ito ang panahon ng pagdududa, siraan o pagsisisihan. Ito ang panahon ng pagtutulungan … Ang problema ngayon mayro’n non-disclosure agreements sa pagitan ng gobyerno at mga vaccine suppliers. We cannot afford na maputol ang supply nila sa atin dahil lang sa pagdududa. Matatakot sila kung pinagdududahan sila at matatagalan ang supply dito sa ating bansa,” explained Go.
He maintained that the government’s top priority is to ensure the smooth and efficient rollout of the vaccines to the public, particularly to priority sectors. Go reminded everyone to focus on the essential measures of mask-wearing, social distancing and frequent hand washing while waiting for their turn to be inoculated.
At the same time, he called on those eligible to get vaccinated right away so they are better protected from the virus and can return to their normal activities at the soonest possible time once herd immunity is attained in communities.
“Tuloy-tuloy ang ating bakuna. Nakakalabas na ang ating senior citizens kaya nananawagan ako sa inyo na magpabakuna na kayo. Huwag niyo palampasin ang pagkakataon na ito. Ika nga, ‘pag nandiyan na ang bakuna sa harap niyo, magpabakuna na kayo,” appealed Go.
“Sayang po ang bakuna. Pinaghirapan natin ito dahil limitado ang suplay. Hirap na hirap tayo kaya ‘wag niyo sayangin. Proteksyon niyo ito. Ito ang solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa normal nating pamumuhay at mabuksan ang ekonomiya,” he added.
When asked about the ongoing health situation in Mindanao, the Senator reassured that the Duterte Administration would provide all the support needed to protect lives of Filipinos, wherever they are. He said the national government is closely monitoring any increase in COVID-19 cases in various parts of the country and will be ready to assist any community in need.
“As a Mindanaoan, hindi ako papayag na mahuhuli ang Mindanao. Pinag-aaralan ng [Inter-Agency Task Force] kung saan talaga ang critical areas at inatasan na ni Pangulong Duterte na unahin ang critical areas, gaya ng Dipolog City, Cagayan de Oro at Dumaguete City,” he said, before vowing that all Filipinos will be treated fairly and not be forced to wait longer than other regions for the vaccines.
”Kung kailangan buhusan ang isang lugar ng bakuna dahil delikado, ay dapat i-deploy at iturok agad ito para walang masayang. Sa National Capital Region, nung tumaas ang kaso at halos napuno ang mga ospital, bumuhos tayo ng bakuna at nag-stabilize ang sitwasyon. Nababalanse naman po,” said Go.
Per National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Galvez, the country has received a total of 12.7 million doses of vaccines as of June 11. The country now ranks second in the Southeast Asian region and 31st globally in terms of total doses administered. The country breached the 7 million mark of administered doses on June 14.
