Press Release
August 25, 2021

Bong Go reiterates appeal to those already eligible to get vaccinated immediately to lessen risk of severe COVID-19 cases or death; calls on agencies to address issues head on and remain focused on overcoming the crisis

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go continues to urge Filipinos to get their COVID-19 vaccines as the country bats for, at the very least, population protection this year and herd immunity soon after.

"Huwag ho kayong matakot sa bakuna. Ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay, o 'yung target nating population protection at 'yung herd immunity," Go said during an interview after the inauguration of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAx) Silang East Interchange section on Tuesday, August 24.

"Bagama't mahirap po 'yung herd immunity ngayong taong ito, sa tingin ko po population protection muna. Population protection - ibig sabihin hindi bumagsak 'yung ating healthcare system, mababawasan po 'yung mga kaso," he added.

Go noted that the public confidence in vaccines have significantly improved because citizens have now realized that unvaccinated individuals are at risk of being hospitalized and contracting severe infection.

"Kaya napapansin ko po ngayon tumataas na po 'yung tiwala sa bakuna, marami na pong gustong magpabakuna dahil napatunayan nga nila 'yung mga nasa hospital ngayon, 'yung mga nagkaka-COVID, 'yung mga naging positibo, at 'yung mga namamatay, karamihan ay hindi po bakunado," said Go.

"Kaya ulitin ko, 'yung mga nasa priority list group, [...] magpabakuna na ho kayo para po protektado kayo. Kung mahal ninyo po ang inyong pamilya, mahal po ninyo ang inyong mga anak, magpabakuna na ho kayo," he urged.

Go also cited that authorities continue to carefully balance economic recovery efforts while intensifying health protection in order to ensure a holistic approach in battling COVID-19, as well as poverty and hunger that resulted from the pandemic.

"Bagamat may adjustments sa community quarantine restrictions, huwag po magkumpyansa. Binabalanse po natin ang lahat. Ang importante ay maproteksyunan ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino laban sa sakit na COVID-19, at pati na rin sa hirap at gutom na dulot nito," Go earlier explained.

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases reverted the National Capital Region to the most stringent ECQ last August 6 until August 20, after which it was reclassified to MECQ.

Meanwhile, the Senator announced that special risk allowances for medical frontline workers will be released soon, and that the government is prepared to allocate more funding if necessary.

"Mare-release na po 'yung 311 million para doon sa SRA. At kung may mga kulang pa, inatasan na ni Pangulong Duterte 'yung DBM, 'yung Executive department na maglaan ng pondo," he said.

While urging the Department of Health to expedite the release of the SRA and to make sure they remain committed on fulfilling their mandate, Go also expressed support to the Senate probe on COVID-19 funds so that issues can be resolved, the truth will come out, and concerned agencies can focus on their work.

"I'm urging the DOH, bilisan niyo na po ang proseso. Kaya nga po kami rito sa Senado, binibilisan na rin natin 'yung pagdinig para po makatrabaho na rin po 'yung mga DOH natin, hindi na po nakatutok lamang dito sa hearing," said Go.

"At ma-comply na lahat, 'yung mga katanungan, kung wala naman pong problema, ay para po makapagtrabaho na rin po itong mga DOH officials natin, para nakatutok po dito sa COVID response na wala na silang ibang iniisip na iba pa," ended.

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