Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Monday, March 9, said that he is set to meet the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases with President Rodrigo Duterte as he echoed the call for a proactive, whole-of-society approach in fighting the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country.
“Dapat one step ahead tayo. Dapat laging handa,” Go reminded government.
In his statement during a public hearing by the Committee on Economic Affairs joint with Health and Demography, Go said that he and the President will meet the IATF to further discuss the government’s response to the COVID-19 situation following Duterte’s declaration of Public Health Emergency. Senator Go and the Department of Health (DOH) had earlier recommended such declaration.
“As Health Committee chair, I am also invited to assess the situation. All hands on deck po ang lahat ng agencies sa situation ngayon,” Go said. He will also ask DOH to give updates on the confirmed cases, contact tracing and availability of testing kits.
“Minsan, sa probinsya ang tagal ipinapadala ilang araw pa makakabalik. Ang problema doon, marami na ang maaaring mahawa sa tagal ng resulta, lalung lalo na sa Mindanao at Visayas.”
He also advised that the availability of testing kits should be more dispersed throughout the country to allow more people to access them.
“Dapat nakakalat ang ating testing kits at yung pinakamabilis na paraan na makumpira kaagad kung positive po ba. Mag-cause ng panic ‘yun kung matatagalan po ang resulta. Kindly check on that. I’m sure pag-uusapan ‘yun mamaya,” he said.
Safeguarding the economy from COVID-19
In 2019, more than half of Philippine exports to China were shipments of electronic parts. The current situation might cause a decline in exports, particularly in electronics, according to Go.
“I call on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to work closely with the affected industries and provide assistance to them to ensure that their operations and businesses would not take a serious blow,” he added.
As for workers who may be displaced by the health emergency, Go said that he will also ask the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to provide assistance to these workers.
Go has expressed his concerns over the possible impact of the disease on the country’s economy, particularly to the tourism sector.
“According to the Asian Development Bank, in a worst-case scenario, the Philippines may lose US$1.9 Billion due to declines in domestic demand, lower tourism and business travel,” he said, sharing his experience going to Aklan and witnessing firsthand the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry of the province.
“Galing lang po ako sa Aklan, ang daming nawalan ng trabaho doon. ‘Yung flights, 1/4 na lang ang lumilipad. From 240 daily flights naging 60 na lang po ata. Ang daming nagsaradong mga establishments po doon sa Boracay,” he said. Go added that the President plans to visit the province on Thursday to encourage local tourism.
Upon learning that there will be a hearing in Congress tomorrow regarding the proposed supplemental budget to address the COVID-19 situation, Go expressed support in allocating more resources, if necessary.
“Buhay ng Pilipino ang nakataya dito. Kung hindi man po ma-certify ng Department of Finance ‘yung availability of funds, marami naman pong gustong tumulong,” he said.
Go added that he already talked to Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairperson Andrea Domingo on the possible provision of additional budget.
Proactive, whole-of-society approach
In the hearing, Go also detailed how the declaration of public health emergency can help the country in combatting the spread of the disease.
“The declaration will allow for the utilization of local disaster funds, procurement of needed equipment, mandatory reporting, prepositioning of necessary logistics, mandatory quarantine and travel restrictions, among others.”
“The declaration also serves as basis for a possible price freeze under RA 7581 or the Price Act. This will also expand the membership of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases to include other instrumentalities of the government,” the Senator added.
Go emphasized that the country needs “a whole-of-society and proactive approach in preventing the further spread of the virus in the country.”
“All government agencies and LGUs must render full assistance and cooperation as well as mobilize the necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent and appropriate response measures in a timely manner to curtail and eliminate the COVID-19 threat,” Go said.
Go then further called on Filipinos to help the government in its fight against the disease. “Let me also take this opportunity to emphasize that defeating COVID-19 cannot be achieved by the government alone.”
“Preventing further spread of the virus begins in us—in ourselves. We can do this by washing our hands frequently, observing proper cough etiquette, keeping ourselves healthy with plenty of sleep, refraining from spreading and believing in fake news, among others,” he added.
Go also urged the public to listen to guidelines issued by health authorities. “Makinig po tayo sa lahat ng mga alituntunin at tamang impormasyon na galing lamang sa ating mga otoridad. Iwasan din po natin ang mag-panic. Wala po itong maidudulot na mabuti at mas lalong pinapalala lang nito ang ating sitwasyon.”
Commends health workers, calls for bayanihan
Expressing his gratitude to the country’s frontliners and health workers in the face of the virus, Go then expressed his optimism that the country can overcome the present public health concern with the spirit of bayanihan and unity.
“Marami nang sakuna at kalamidad ang sumubok sa katatagan nating mga Pilipino. Ngunit nalagpasan natin ang lahat ng ito dahil nagtulungan tayo at nagtiwala tayo sa isa’t-isa. Kaya pairalin natin ngayon ang tunay na pagkakaisa at bayanihan,” he ended.
Meanwhile, Go said that doctors have advised the President to adopt serious precautionary measures to protect his own health. The Presidential Security Group has imposed a “No Touch Policy” to protect the President from the risk of the virus. Despite safety measures in place, Go insisted that this will not affect the President’s work.
“Sinabihan kami ng doctor na huwag masyado lumabas at magpakita sa tao. Importante daw na wag i-expose ang Pangulo sa sakit,” Go said.
“Sabi ko, hindi naman po pwede iyon. Inihalal kami ng tao para magserbisyo. Hindi pwede na kami pa ang unang magtatago kasi mas matatakot ang tao. Pinasok namin ito, handa kami mamatay para magserbisyo sa kapwa namin Pilipino,” he explained. (PR)
