A nation that is united has a higher chance of surviving the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, chairman of the Senate Health and Demography Committee, said on Monday.
Go asked vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. to formulate a process which will expedite the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines by local government units (LGUs).
“Lahat po ay naglalaan na po ng pondo (Everybody is now allocating funds). You always have my full and unwavering support. Marami pa tayong mga oportunidad upang magtulungan (There are more opportunities for us to help one another),” Go said.
Members of the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) are set to review this week the transcript of statements of resource speakers, including Galvez, to tie up the loose ends and clear up the supposed inconsistencies during its second public hearing last week.
“I urge Secretary Galvez to formulate a process which will expedite the vaccine procurement of LGUs and the private sector,” he said.
Aside from the LGUs, Go also thanked the private sector for its collaboration and initiatives to secure vaccines for the country.
“Malaki rin ang pasasalamat ko sa private sector at sa mga inisyatibo nito hinggil sa pag-secure ng vaccines para sa bansa. Kahapon po ay nagkaroon ng ceremonial signing para sa second batch ng private sector donation of the AstraZeneca vaccine to the government. I also thank the private sector for their initiatives in securing vaccines for the country. Yesterday, there was a ceremonial signing for the second batch of private sector donation of the AstraZeneca vaccine to the government),” Go said, referring to the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Philippine government, local government units, private sector donors, and drug firm AstraZeneca for the procurement of 17 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines under the "A Dose of Hope" project.
“Your efforts are most welcome, and I thank the private sector because despite the government's own tireless efforts, the government cannot do this alone. Sa totoo lang po. We need a whole-of-nation approach to uplift the lives of all Filipinos amid these challenges,” he added.
The senator said the path towards recovery requires the effort of the entire country, including the cooperation and ‘’bayanihan’’ (community spirit) of the Filipinos.
“Let me emphasize, we are all part of the solution to this public health issue. Therefore, we must (all) share the responsibility if we want to recover from this pandemic. Wala pong pinipili ang pandemyang ito,” Go said. (This epidemic does not choose its victim.)
“Kakaikot ko po, napapansin ko po sa publiko — dapat kunin natin ang kumpiyansa ng taumbayan. Lahat tayo, apektado nito, lalaki man o babae, bata man o matanda, mayaman man o mahirap, anumang relihiyon, anuman ang inyong pulitika, saan ka man sa Pilipinas, talagang tinamaan po tayo sa pandemyang ito,’’ he added. (In going around the country, I have noticed from the public— that we need to get the confidence of the people. All of us are affected by this, male or female, young or old, rich or poor, whatever religion, whatever political affiliation, wherever you are in the Philippines, we are really hit hard by this pandemic.)
Go said “a nation that is united” has a higher chance of surviving the pandemic and urged the people to continue following health measures and requested for cooperation even from the government's detractors.
“Let us work together and do our part. History has proven time and time again that, in these times of crises, a nation that is united has a higher chance of survival,” Go said.
“Alam ko po na lahat tayo ay pagod na sa sitwasyong ito na dulot ng pandemya. Alam po ito ng gobyerno. Kaya naman po hindi tayo tumitigil para matuldukan na ang mga banta ng COVID-19 at maibalik na natin sa normal ang ating mga pamumuhay,’’ he added. (I know that all of you are already tired of this situation brought about by the pandemic. The government is also aware of this. This is why we continue to do everything to put an end to COVID-19 so that we can go back to our normal lives.)