Senator Bong Go urges caution and continued vigilance as DOH monitors reemerging COVID-19 trends in Southeast Asia

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, reminded Filipinos to remain vigilant but calm as the Department of Health (DOH) monitors a reported increase in COVID-19 cases in some parts of Southeast Asia, even as the Philippines records a significant decline in local cases this year.

According to the DOH, no specific threat has been identified within the country, and there is no cause for alarm. The agency continues coordinating with international counterparts, including through mechanisms within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to keep track of the situation.

In a recent statement, the DOH reported that the Philippines has seen an 87% decrease in COVID-19 infections and fatalities this year, with only 1,774 cases reported compared to 14,074 in 2024. The case fatality rate stands at 1.13%. Weekly figures have also dipped slightly in recent weeks, with 71 cases recorded from March 23 to April 5, 2025, and 65 cases from April 6 to 19.

Despite the improved outlook, Senator Go called on Filipinos to continue observing basic health protocols, particularly in public and healthcare settings.

"Marami na tayong lessons learned mula sa nangyari noong pandemya. Nalampasan man natin ito, hindi rin tayo pwedeng maging kampante. Ugaliin pa rin natin ang pagsusuot ng face mask sa mga ospital, paghuhugas ng kamay, at patuloy na pagbibigay halaga sa ating kalusugan," the senator advised.

"Importante ang pag-iingat, lalo na kung kalusugan ang nakataya. Tandaan na health is wealth. Ang kalusugan ay katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino," he reminded.

The DOH aligns with this message, encouraging the public to remain consistent with the following precautionary measures:

- Wearing face masks in healthcare facilities
- Staying home when feeling unwell
- Covering the mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing
- Washing hands regularly with soap and water
- Seeking early consultation when experiencing symptoms

Senator Go reiterated the importance of health security and resilience, particularly in light of the lessons from the pandemic. He emphasized that the country must not repeat past mistakes and instead continue strengthening its capacity to respond to future threats.

As the principal author and one of the co-sponsors of Senate Bill No. 2893, or the Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) Act, Go stressed the urgency of building institutional capacity to detect, study, and respond to viral diseases before they become full-blown health emergencies. The measure has been approved on third reading in the Senate.

"Dapat matuto tayo sa karanasan natin sa pandemya. Kailangan meron na tayong sariling virology center para hindi na tayo palaging umaasa sa ibang bansa," Go said, referring to how the country struggled early in the pandemic due to its lack of local vaccine development capabilities.

He emphasized that the VIP will be instrumental in advancing local vaccine research and will enable the Philippines to better understand viruses affecting both humans and animals. The senator also reminded the public of efforts as early as 2019 to protect critical institutions like the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), whose budget he defended amid earlier cuts.

"Noong 2019, gusto sanang bawasan ang pondo ng RITM. Pero hindi tayo pumayag dahil alam nating napakahalaga nila kapag may banta sa kalusugan. At tama nga tayo--sila ang isa sa naging unang tumugon nang dumating ang COVID-19," Go recalled.

Go has also filed Senate Bill No. 195, which seeks to establish a Philippine Center for Disease Control (CDC), modeled after its international counterparts. The proposed CDC will serve as the central agency for disease surveillance, prevention, and emergency response.

"Sa CDC, mas magiging mabilis ang pag-detect ng mga sakit at mas epektibo ang tugon ng gobyerno. Hindi lang ito para sa COVID, kundi para sa iba pang nakakahawang sakit at pati na rin 'yung mga non-communicable diseases," he explained.

While the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the emergency phase of the COVID-19 pandemic over in May 2023, the virus continues to resurface in waves across various regions. As of early 2025, more than 777 million cases and over seven million deaths have been officially recorded worldwide since December 2019.

Senator Go, known for his health reforms crusade, emphasized that vigilance should not diminish as the virus transitions into endemicity.

"Ang totoo, kahit pa sabihin nating 'endemic' na ang COVID, hindi ito nangangahulugang wala na itong epekto. Kung may natutunan man tayo, ito ay ang kahalagahan ng pagiging handa at may kakayahang tugunan ang anumang banta sa kalusugan," he remarked.

As the country moves forward from the shadows of the pandemic, Senator Go emphasized that the fight for accessible healthcare must continue with greater urgency. Speaking during his proclamation at The Tent in Manila Hotel on May 17, he reaffirmed his long-standing advocacy.

"For my second term, with all sincerity, I will continue to push for pro-poor programs and laws, especially on health. Health is wealth. We must work together to bring quality medical services closer to our people, particularly the poor and indigent patients. Ang kalusugan ay katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino," said Go.