As new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country remain high, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Friday urged Filipinos to continue supporting the whole-of-nation efforts against the pandemic by cooperating with authorities, complying with health protocols and keeping their guards up against COVID-19.
(OFFICE OF SEN. BONG GO / FILE PHOTO)
“Tulungan n’yo na lang po ang ating gobyerno. Ginagawa po ng gobyerno ang lahat (Just help the government. It is doing all it can). ‘Di po makakatulong ang paninisi, wala pong maidudulot na kabutihan ‘yan (Finger-pointing does not help any),” Go said during his visit and distribution of aid to 1,000 TODA members and 650 families affected by super typhoon ‘’Yolanda’’ in Tacloban City on Thursday, March 18.
The senator from Davao assured that the government is doing its best to counter the adverse impacts of the pandemic by balancing economic recovery and health concerns. He added that he is helping by also providing aid to Filipinos whose livelihoods were disrupted by economic restrictions.
To contain the new spike in new COVID-19 infections, the government has agreed to close the country’s borders to foreign travelers anew and limit the number of Filipinos entering the Philippines beginning this Saturday, March 20. The number of overseas Filipino workers entering the country will be limited to 1,500 a day.
Aside from the measure, the government is also implementing granular lockdowns, curfews, and a stay-at-home-order for individuals below 18 and above 65 years old.
As for hospitals requiring individuals to obtain a swab test before a doctor’s check-up or admitting them, Go said that he will study such policy and consult with health authorities and experts amid complaints that such protocol could result in sick individuals not getting immediate treatment due to the time it takes to get the results.
While there are no orders yet from the government for more restrictive community quarantine guidelines, Go said that this might be considered if the number of new cases in the country continues to rise.
Go reminded Filipinos, adding that the country cannot afford to go on a nationwide lockdown again.