Amid talks of new quarantine status for NCR Plus bubble, Bong Go stresses importance of keeping healthcare system afloat amid still rising number of COVID-19 cases

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go emphasized the importance of keeping the healthcare system afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic amid talks of new quarantine status for the National Capital Region Plus bubble for the month of May.

The area is currently under modified enhanced community quarantine until April 30.

"Importante po dito, 'di bumagsak ang ating healthcare system. Bantayan natin na dapat meron pang bakanteng hospital beds, lalo na sa severe and critical cases," Go said in an interview during the opening of the 103rd Malasakit Center in Carcar Provincial Hospital, Carcar City, Cebu.

"Ayaw natin mangyari na wala silang matakbuhan at naghihingalo sa emergency room dahil wala nang hospital beds. 'Yun ang bantayan natin dito," he added.

Go, meanwhile, assured the public that whatever the government and the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases decide on, it will be based on a thorough and rigorous assessment of the country's pandemic situation.

"Kung anuman po ang magiging desisyon ng members ng IATF, I'm sure pinag-aralan nilang mabuti. Ako naman po, kung ie-extend, kung makakatulong na bumaba ang active COVID-19 cases, ay sang-ayon naman po ako kung sakaling 'yun ang magiging desisyon nila. Suportahan po natin" Go, who is also chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said, urging the government to make sure that no Filipino will go hungry throughout the community quarantine.

"Ngayon, dito naman sa gobyerno, siguraduhin natin na walang magugutom. Kung sasaraduhan natin, maraming mawawalan ng trabaho," he stressed.

Go also suggested that IATF should consider allowing the opening of select industries in order to support livelihoods and keep the economy moving as long as minimum health protocols are followed to avoid the further spread of COVID-19.

"Pag-aralan rin dapat ang posibilidad ng pagbukas ng selected industries para makatulong sa kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan. Basta masigurong masusunod pa rin ang minimum health protocols na kailangan para maiwasan ang lalong pagkalat ng sakit," he suggested.

The Senator, who appealed for the provision of additional assistance to poor Filipinos through a Supplemental Amelioration Program, also asked the government to expedite the distribution of government aid.

"Siguraduhin n'yo po, bilisan ng executive department ng ating gobyerno ang pagbibigay ng ayuda sa NCR Plus para wala pong magutom," he said.

"Pakiusap ko sa DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) na maghanda kayo ng food packs ninyo, lalu na sa mga lugar na nagkakaroon ng lockdown, mga barangay na kailangan isara para meron naman po silang makain. We have to balance everything dito--health, ekonomiya, but health remains the priority --- yung buhay po ng bawat Pilipino," he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte is set to address the public on Wednesday, April 28, to announce the new quarantine classifications for NCR Plus in May, according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

The decision will be based on the IATF's assessment and review of the two-week attack rate, daily attack rate, and health care utilization rate in NCR Plus.