Senator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Health Christopher “Bong” Go echoed President Rodrigo Duterte’s appeal to the public to get vaccinated once eligible and continue complying with the public health protocols amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

“Umaapela ako sa mga awtoridad na bilisan pa ang pagbabakuna sa lahat ng mga eligible na sektor, lalo na iyong mga itinuturing na ‘poorest of the poor’, (upang) mabigyan ng kaukulang proteksyon ang ating mga kwalipikadong mamamayan at tuluyang makabalik na tayo sa normal na pamumuhay oras na makamit natin ang herd immunity,” he said.

Go emphasized that despite the rise in COVID-19 cases, data shows that vaccines work by preventing severe symptoms and death. Hence, he urged unvaccinated individuals to take this opportunity to protect themselves before it is too late. 

“Sa mga hindi pa bakunado pero kwalipikado naman, nakikiusap ako na huwag na kayong mag-aalinlangan pa. Magpabakuna na po kayo dahil mas delikado kung unvaccinated kayo. Iyan ang totoo. Libre naman ang mga ito,” Go appealed. 

“Karamihan sa pinakagrabeng tinamaan at namamatay dahil sa COVID-19 ay hindi bakunado, ayon sa datos ng DOH,” he added. 

On January 6, the Department of Health logged 17,220 additional cases of COVID-19. It also reported 29 new Omicron variant cases, including 19 local cases from Metro Manila, raising the nationwide total to 43.  

“Ang paglaban sa pandemya ay responsibilidad nating lahat at hindi lamang ng gobyerno, kaya gawin natin ang ating parte upang tuluyan na nating malampasan ang krisis na ito,” Go emphasized.

The senator pointed out that the vaccines, coupled with discipline and faithful observance of health protocols, are still the best line of defense against the virus.

“Ayon sa huling advisory ng DOH, 85% sa mga COVID-19 patients sa mga ospital ng DOH sa Metro Manila na nangangailangan ng intensive care ay mga hindi pa bakunado,” warned Go.

The lawmaker praised the country’s aggressive vaccine drive but reiterated the importance of abiding by the health protocols even after getting vaccinated to prevent more transmissions and protect those who are vulnerable to the disease, including healthcare workers. 

“Inuulit ko ang aking panawagan sa lahat: bakunado man o hindi, sundin ang lahat ng mga itinakdang health protocols, katulad ng pagsuot ng mask, pag-obserba sa social distancing, palaging paghugas ng kamay at pag-iwas na lumabas ng bahay kung hindi naman kinakailangan,” reminded Go.

As of January 5, the government has administered nearly 110.9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Some 51.1 million individuals are fully vaccinated while 57.3 million have received their first dose. In addition, 2.5 million have obtained their booster shots. 

“Huwag na nating sayangin ang naging sakripisyo natin sa nakaraang halos dalawang taon. Konting tiis, patuloy lang tayong makiisa sa gobyerno at magmalasakit sa ating kapwa. Malalampasan din natin itong pinakabagong hamon bilang isang mas matatag na bansa,” he reassured.

In his Talk to the People address on Thursday, President Duterte maintained that all unvaccinated individuals should be restricted in their movement. He directed barangay captains to help regulate their mobility by ensuring they remain in their residences, in addition to imposing prohibitions on certain activities. 

The President also appealed for volunteer doctors and nurses. He instructed concerned government agencies to augment the country’s health workforce in the light of possible staff shortage and to increase the number of quarantine and isolation facilities.