DAVAO CITY — Senator Christopher “Bong” Go issued a strong appeal to Filipinos to remain vigilant, religiously follow quarantine measures, and to always observe health protocols, such as the proper wearing of face masks, practicing social distancing, avoiding non-essential travels and observing proper hygiene by frequently washing hands.
“Gusto na natin matapos ang krisis na ito. Pero hindi po ito matatapos kung hindi tayo magmamalasakit sa ating kapwa. Alalahanin natin palagi na sa bawat paglabag sa mga patakaran, buhay ng kapwa ang nakokompromiso dito,” the Senator appealed
Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, issued the appeal on the first day that Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, and Bulacan were reverted to modified enhanced community quarantine status by President Rodrigo Duterte for two weeks beginning August 4.
“Habang wala pang bakuna at gamot na available laban sa COVID-19, pinakamabisa pa ring paraan upang hindi mahawaan ng sakit ay ang pagsunod sa mga health protocols. Ito ay ang wastong paggamit ng mask, paghugas ng kamay, pag-practice ng social distancing at hindi paglabas ng bahay kung hindi kinakailangan,” Go sternly said.
“Hindi kaya ng gobyernong mag-isa ang laban kontra pandemya. Hindi rin kakayanin ng ating mga medical frontliners kung patuloy na dadami ang kailangang dalhin sa mga ospital. Huwag na ninyong hintayin na nakaratay kayo sa ospital. Preventing the spread of COVID-19 starts with us in our own homes by being responsible citizens,” he further warned.
In line with the two-week MECQ, all residents are directed to stay at home unless they are conducting essential activities, such as buying food and medicine. All public transportation and non-essential establishments have to be closed.
Go appealed to the public to show support and empathy to all frontliners saying that “they are sacrificing their own lives to save others. In our own way of showing our compassion and through our cooperation, we can save their lives as well”.
“Frontliners ang inaasahan natin ngayon dahil sila ang mas nakakaalam, kaya suportahan natin sila sa pamamagitan ng pagiging responsableng mamamayan at pagsunod sa mga patakaran,” Go added.
He also appealed to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases and the National Task Force on COVID-19 to strictly implement necessary measures to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. In particular, he recommended that local government units must intensify the localized lockdown strategy and the implementation of the Oplan Kalinga to help health workers trace COVID-19 cases.
“We should also strictly enforce guidelines for minimum health standards and provide free masks for the poor, “ Go said, adding that “buying locally-made masks can save or even create jobs while providing the right kind of masks to those who cannot afford their own will help save lives.”
As of August 4, there are a total of 112,593 confirmed cases of COVID-19, placing the Philippines second in Southeast Asia behind Indonesia. The Department of Health reported a total of 66,049 recoveries, with 44,429 active cases remaining. Despite the surge in confirmed cases, the country’s death rate has declined from over 10% to 2.9%, according to DOH data.-PR
