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 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.