Despite the improving Covid-19 situation in the country, Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go on Wednesday, April 6 urged Filipinos nationwide to continue adhering to the necessary health and safety protocols, such as proper mask use and social distancing, especially amid the ongoing 2022 election campaign season.
“Ang apela ko sa mga kumakandidato at nangangampanya, unahin niyo po ang kalusugan at kaligtasan ng ating mga mamamayan kaysa ang pulitika (My appeal to the candidates who are now campaigning is to prioritize the health and safety of our countrymen over politics). Delikado pa rin hanggang hindi pa natin nalalampasan ang pandemyas (It is still dangerous until we have overcome the pandemic),” he said.
Go, chairman of the Senate health and demography committee, emphasized the importance of sustained cooperation in order to avoid new Covid-19 transmissions and keep the healthcare system from being overburdened, noting that these are necessary to ensure that the economy fully recovers as well.
“Habang naghahanda tayo patungo sa pagbabalik sa normal, kailangan nating matutong mamuhay nang ligtas kahit na may panganib pa ng virus (While we are preparing towards our return to our normal lives, we need to learn how to live safely despite the continued threat of the virus). Kailangan nating patuloy na mag-ingat habang unti-unti nating binabawi ang mga panahong nawala sa atin sa nakalipas na dalawang taon (We need to continue to be careful while we are trying to win back the lost time we had in the last two years),” Go remarked.
“Magagawa lang natin ito kung patuloy tayong makikiisa sa pamahalaan, magmamalasakit sa kapwa at makikipagbayanihan sa isa’t isa (We can only do this if we continue to be one with the government, compassionate with our fellowmen and help each other). Alalahanin natin, hindi pa tapos ang pandemya. Ang ating patuloy na pagsunod sa mga ipinatutupad na patakaran ay makapagliligtas sa ating mga mahal sa buhay (Let us be reminded that the pandemic is not yet over. Our continued adherence to the mandated regulation can save our loved ones),” he emphasized.
Ahead of the national and local elections, Go reiterated his call to the concerned authorities to take the necessary precautions to protect voters, such as providing sufficient ventilation and maintaining strict social distancing during campaign activities and even on election day.
He asked them to strictly enforce polling precinct guidelines on election day and to remind the voting public of the pandemic-related restrictions ahead of time to avoid issues.
Similarly, Go urged candidates and their supporters to work with the government to ensure that the elections are held in a safe and secure environment. He insisted that ensuring everyone's safety and well-being should remain a top priority.
“Muli akong umaapela sa lahat na maging responsable tayo para sa kaligtasan at kalusugan ng ating kapwa Pilipino (I am again appealing to all to be responsible for the safety and health of our fellow Filipinos). Sa kabila ng ating magkakaibang paniniwala, naririto tayo para maglingkod, at ang buhay at kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan ang ating pangunahing dapat na isaalang-alang (Despite our varying beliefs, we are here to serve, and the lives and welfare of our countrymen should be our primary consideration),” he added.
“Hindi natin dapat pabayaang mawala ang ating unti-unting pagwawagi laban sa Covid-19 sa nakalipas na dalawang taon lalo na’t may papasok nang bagong administrasyon sa susunod na mga buwan (We should not allow to lose our little-by-little victory against the Covid-19 in the past two years especially now with the entry of a new administration in the coming months). At kahit papalapit na ang araw ng halalan, hindi titigil ang Administrasyong Duterte sa pagseserbisyo sa inyo hanggang sa huling araw ng kanilang termino (And even if the elections is nearing, the Duterte administration will not stop in serving you to the last day of their terms),” he added.
Go then renewed his appeal to eligible Filipinos to get inoculated as soon as possible. He also urged those qualified to get their booster shots.
In the end, Go reassured Filipinos that there is light at the end of the tunnel as he urged them to remain vigilant in the fight against the pandemic.
“Please remember that the government cannot do this alone. We need your cooperation in ending this pandemic, just as we need your help in continuing our collaborative work in the community in light of the challenges that we are facing,” he said.