Senator Bong Go has assured that government is prepared to respond to the polio outbreak as it remains committed to the strict implementation of the national mandatory immunization program.
“Handa naman po ang gobyerno. Sa mga hindi pa po na-vaccinate para sa polio, magsipunta lang kayo sa DOH (health centers) para maiwasan po ang pagkalat at mapigilan itong polio (outbreak) na ito,” said Go.
Go also encouraged citizens to visit health centers to get vaccinated for free.
“Hindi lang po sa polio, maraming mga vaccination program ang gobyerno na libre naman po. Nakikiusap po ako magtiwala po tayo sa ating programa. You may avail it,” he said.
Go made the assurance as he attended the 5th anniversary celebration of the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte National Executive Coordinating Committee (MRRD NECC) Movement in Pinnacle Hotel, Davao City where he was guest speaker.
In his message, Go thanked and affirmed his support to the movement, assuring them that will he continue to serve as their bridge to the President.
“Congratulations sa inyong ika-5 anibersaryo. Salamat po sa MRRD sa inyong suporta kay Pangulong Duterte at sa inyong ika-limang anibersaryo. Hindi lang po (sa suporta niyo) kay Pangulong Duterte, sa akin rin po noong nakaraang eleksyon,” the legislator said. “Asahan po ninyong patuloy akong magsisilbing tulay ninyo sa Pangulo.”
The Department of Health (DOH) has earlier assured the public of ample supply of polio vaccines in the country. The Philippines has been polio-free since 2000, with the last wild polio virus detected in 1993. It takes only one confirmed case of polio for DOH to declare an outbreak.
Aside from polio, concerns on the African swine fever (ASF) surfaced after the Department of Agriculture (DA) started an investigation on incidents of hog deaths in Bulacan and Rizal. The first case of ASF was confirmed on September 9.
“The situation is under proper management.”
Asked on the security measures undertaken to prevent the spread of ASF, Go called for sobriety as the DA has guaranteed the public that the situation is “under proper management”.
“Nakatutok po ngayon ang ating Department of Agriculture. Ayon sa kanila hindi naman daw po delikado,” he said.
“Tayo ay may meat inspection. ‘Yun po hanapin niyo, kung dumaan sa meat inspection, ‘yun po ang ating kainin. Sundin po natin ang payo ng Department of Agriculture para maiwasan ang pag-spread ng African swine fever,” Go added.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has so far released P80 million for the implementation of measures to prevent the spread of ASF in the country. On top of this, DA has also made available P60 million for the financial assistance for affected hog raisers at P30,000 per farmer, payable in three years at zero interest.
The DA will also be giving P3,000 for every live pig infected with ASF and surrendered for culling and proper disposal. DA has already intensified its efforts by activating and mobilizing its Quick Response Teams at its regional offices to conduct complementary measures, in addition to existing Malasakit desks in DA and its attached agencies, to easily respond to affected stakeholders.
The DA also offered free ASF laboratory testing and free culling and disposal for affected animals. It is also strictly implementing its 1-7-10 protocol to prevent the spread of virus to other areas.
Go is a known public health advocate. As the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, he filed on July proposed health measures, including the institutionalization of the Malasakit Center program, the improvement of the Philippine nursing education, and a bill expanding the coverage of the Mandatory Basic Immunization Program to improve the country’s healthcare system.
Meanwhile, Go added that he condemns the death of Philippine Military Academy plebe Darwin Dormitorio last September 18 following an alleged hazing incident.
“Of course, kinukundena natin ang mga ganitong hazing. Sana po ay hindi po umabot sa ganung sitwasyon na mayroon po pagbuwis ng buhay,” he said.
“Lives of all Filipinos, including the cadets, must be protected.”
Go added that the lives of all Filipinos, including the cadets, must be protected since they are the future leaders of the country.
“Napaka-importante po ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino and in fact itong mga kadeteng ito sila po ang ating future leaders hindi lang po sa Armed Forces but kadalasan po sila po ‘yung mga magiging leader natin so gobyerno. Tingnan niyo po sino ang nandiyan sa gabinete. Nanggagaling din po sa napakahalagang, napakaimportanteng institusyon na Philippine Military Academy,” he added.
Asked why he continues to move around the country despite his busy Senate schedule, Go said that he is not contented with just sitting in his office as he wants to listen to people’s concerns personally.
“Hangga’t kaya ko po, I will not limit myself to just being a legislator. Hindi ko po matiis na nandun lang sa Manila na naka-aircon sa Senado,” he said.
“Pitong araw naman sa isang linggo, apat na araw sa Senado, may tatlong araw na pwede kami magpahinga. Hindi po ako magpapahinga, iikot ko ‘yan sa mga tao sa abot ng aking makakaya. Papasukin ko kayo saan mang sulok ng Pilipinas basta kaya ng aking katawan at ng aking panahon magseserbisyo po ako sa mga Pilipino,” Go added.