Cooperation and compliance of everyone needed to overcome COVID-19, says Bong Go

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go underscored the importance of everyone's cooperation and compliance with the Enhanced Community Quarantine restrictions set forth by the government if the country is to successfully overcome the risks and uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an interview given on Wednesday, April 7, Go said that the rising number of COVID-19 cases and the re-imposition of ECQ in the National Capital Region Plus area had also limited President Rodrigo Duterte's movement and engagements.

"Pina-postpone rin po (ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte) 'yung mga plano niyang pag-iikot sa buong bansa dahil kasalukuyang nasa ECQ pa po tayo. We have to respect the ECQ... siya mismo ay hindi muna lumabas dahil ine-engganyo nga natin 'yung mga taumbayan na manatili muna sa pamamahay kung hindi naman po importante ang lakad," explained Go.

However, Go assured that there is nothing to worry about when it comes to the President's health, saying "Nasa mabuting kalagayan naman po ang Pangulo. In fact, magkasama kami kanina at patuloy ang kanyang trabaho."

The Senator, who serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, added that the recent announcement that several members of the Presidential Security Group had tested positive for COVID-19 had also compelled the Office of the President to reschedule the President's weekly public address, 'Talk to the People'.

"Regular naman pong nagpapa-swab test si Pangulong Duterte at, so far naman po, sa awa ng Diyos, ay negatibo naman po kung pagbabasehan po 'yung last niya pong swab test. So, wala po kayong dapat ikabahala pero we cannot take chances," he shared.

"Ika nga, hindi natin pwedeng isugal, bagama't alam n'yo po na si Pangulo talagang gustong lumabas," he added.

Following reports of various public officials contracting the virus, the Senator admitted that several members of the Cabinet, particularly those who are senior citizens or with comorbidities, are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine under the government's vaccination priority list. He maintained that the order of priority must be strictly followed, and no one should be given VIP or special treatment.

"Dapat sumunod tayo sa priority list na nilatag ng gobyerno para sundin rin po ng lahat ang ating mga patakaran. Ayaw ko na mayro'ng magpapa-VIP, lalung lalo na po dito sa pagbabakuna. Unahin muna natin ang mga frontliners. Tapusin muna natin silang mabakunahan," emphasized Go.

"Kung tapos na po sila o nag-yield na 'yung iba, ibig sabihin, ayaw nilang magpabakuna, saka na po bababa doon sa mga ... A2, A3, senior citizens at itong mga may comorbidities," he added.

Dapat ma-consume na rin po 'yang mga (available na) bakuna para po maayos ang rollout... naka-spread all around the country, especially sa NCR Plus na talagang umaangat 'yung numero. So, dapat po'y bilisan natin ang pagbabakuna," he continued.

Go encouraged the public to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. He urged everyone to support the National Vaccine Rollout and educate themselves about the vaccines, particularly with regard to their safety and efficacy, and to rely on the verified information released by the proper authorities and health experts.

"Sabi ko nga, magtiwala kayo sa bakuna. Huwag kayong matakot sa bakuna. Matakot kayo sa COVID-19. Ang bakuna po ang tanging solusyon o susi natin dito para malampasan natin itong problemang ito ... bakuna po ang tanging paraan na ma-attain po natin 'yung herd immunity sa community," explained Go.

When asked about his own well-being, Go said that he remains healthy and focused on his commitment to serve Filipinos, especially in their time of need.

"Hindi ko naman po matiis na hindi na magtrabaho dahil ito ang panahon na hindi pwedeng magpapatay-patay tayo dito. Kung papatay-patay tayo, mas mamatay tayo. So, kailangan natin magtrabaho at tumulong sa kapwa Pilipino," he said.

"Medyo bata pa naman po. Sana po ay sa tulong po ng ating dasal, sana ay manatili tayong healthy, lalong-lalo na po ang ating mahal na Pangulo. At tsaka 'yung mga government officials natin na tumutulong po, sa Team Philippines po na patuloy na nagsusumikap 24 hours, sila Secretary Galvez, Secretary Duque, Secretary Vince, lahat po ng IATF po," he added.

Go once again called on everyone to unite and join the bayanihan efforts to help the country overcome the crisis. "Sabi ko, magtulungan nalang tayo, 'wag na tayo magsisihan. Ito po ang panahon po ng pagtutulungan, hindi po panahon ng pagsisisihan."