Senator Christopher “Bong” Go (File photo)
MANILA – Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has expressed optimism that there is “light at the end of the tunnel”, calling on the government to fast-track the vaccination against Covid-19 of least 70 million Filipinos and achieve herd immunity by end of 2021.
“Bilisan natin ang ating vaccine rollout at ni isang dose ay hindi dapat masayang dahil talagang agawan ang supply ng bakuna. Paigtingin at pabilisin natin lalo ang pagbabakuna para ma-attain natin ‘yung herd immunity sa community bago matapos ang taon (Let us fast-track our vaccine rollout and not even one dose of Covid-19 vaccine should be wasted because we have limited supply of vaccines. Let us intensify and fast-track our vaccination to achieve herd immunity before the year ends),” Go said in a radio interview on Saturday.
He stressed the importance of maintaining discipline and continuing to follow the health and safety protocols to contain the pandemic while government proceeds with its vaccination campaign.
“Nakikita ko sa ibang bansa, gaya ng Israel at New Zealand, ay unti-unti nagiging zero cases na sila. Sa Israel, 81 percent na ang nababakunahan at nagtatanggal na sila ng mask. Ibig sabihin there is hope, there is light at the end of the tunnel (I’ve seen in other countries, like Israel and New Zealand, they slowly reach zero cases. In Israel, 81 percent have been vaccinated and they are no longer wearing mask. Meaning there is hope, there is light at the end of the tunnel),” Go said.
Go said while waiting for 70 percent of the country’s over 100 million population to get vaccinated, it is important for everyone to strictly follow health protocols to prevent Covid-19 cases surge like what happened in India.
“Kahit nagbabakuna sila at manufacturer pa sila ng mga bakuna... tumaas pa rin ang kaso nila. Ibig sabihin, kailangan habang hindi pa natin na-attain ang herd immunity, ay huwag tayo magkumpyansa (Even if they are vaccinating already and they are manufacturer of vaccines, India’s cases still surge. Meaning, while herd immunity is not achieved yet, we should not be complacent),” he added.
Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, further appealed that the government should exert all efforts possible to implement a detailed rollout plan to ensure the safe, efficient, and orderly distribution and administration of the vaccines.
“Dapat kahit saang sulok ng Pilipinas ay makakatanggap ng bakuna. Huwag po kayo mag-alala dahil parating na rin ang dagdag na doses. Sisiguraduhin nating walang maiiwan tungo sa ating muling pagbangon (Even in the remotest part of the Philippines, everyone should be vaccinated. Do not worry because more vaccines are coming. We will make sure that no one will be left behind in our recovery efforts),” he said.
Go said National Task Force Against Covid-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III are doing everything they can to acquire more doses and accelerate the deployment of the vaccines.
He said there are currently more than 3,000 vaccination centers throughout the country, and that 6.5 million out of the government’s stockpile of 7.5 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, have already been deployed nationwide.
“Pinaghirapan ito ng gobyerno... Kaya dapat bilisan na. Ang ating local government units at pribadong sektor ay gusto rin tumulong. Sa akin naman, dapat makarating ito sa dulo, sa bawat sulok ng Pilipinas (The government worked hard for these vaccines. So we have to fast-track. Our local government units and private sector also wanted to help. For me, these vaccines should reach the remotest part of the Philippines,” he said.
Go reiterated the importance of adhering to the approved list of groups and sectors that are prioritized for the Covid-19 vaccination.
He urged national and local authorities not to waste time and most especially, not to politicize the rollout of the vaccines.
Go also expressed dismay towards the actions of some individuals who receive special treatment, adding that vaccine program implementers are expected to understand that front-liners, vulnerable and essential sectors should be prioritized first during the vaccine rollout.
“Kung mapapatunayan po na may mga nabibigyan pa rin ng VIP treatment sa pagbibigay ng bakuna, sisiguraduhin po namin na mananagot ang mga in charge sa nasabing lugar (If it will be proven that some have been getting VIP treatment, we will make sure that those in charge will be held liable),” Go added, echoing President Rodrigo Duterte’s sentiment towards those who violate the given priority list.
During his recent public address, the President said he will not allow the violations of the guidelines given by the IATF and he will hold the local governments down to the last barangay level responsible for any violation.
Go reiterated his appeal to trust and support the government’s efforts to overcome the pandemic.
He also assured that the country’s vaccination rate will continue to increase as more vaccines arrive in the Philippines.
“As the President said, these vaccines must be distributed immediately the fastest way that we can do it,” Go cited the President’s statements. (PR)
