Senator Sonny Angara on Wednesday reminded Filipinos on the need to cooperate and share the responsibility in the fight against COVID-19 by continuing to observe the minimum health protocol.

Angara made the call as he expressed concern on the alarming spike in new COVID cases over the past weeks.

The senator said those who have yet to receive their vaccinations should avail of the free doses distributed by the government and those who have been vaccinated should also take the necessary safety health protocols whenever they have to go out of their homes.

“Kahit nabakunahan na tayo ay kailangan pa din sundin ang mga health protocols kabilang na ang pagsuot ng face mask (Even if we have been vaccinated, let’s follow the health protocols, including the wearing of face mask). We all have a responsibility to prevent the spread of COVID and it all starts by getting vaccinated,” Angara said in a statement.

“Sundin natin ang mga patakaran ng bawat lungsod at kung maaari ay ‘wag na lumabas kung hindi naman kinakailangan. Ayaw na natin maranasan ulit ang mga mahihigpit na lockdown kung saan lahat tayo ay apektado (Let’s follow the guidelines set by each city and as long as possible, let’s not go out of our homes if there is no need. We don’t want to experience another strict lockdown where all of us are affected),” he added.

Likewise, Agara urged parents of minors to have their children vaccinated already, particularly those aged 12 to 17 years old.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine for minors aged five to 11 and the rollout of the inoculation for this age group should come soon, the lawmaker noted.

“Our goal is to have most, if not all, of the population vaccinated. The government poured in a significant amount of resources to boost the country’s supply of vaccines and this is being done to ensure that all Filipinos are protected from COVID-19,” Angara said.

As the sponsor of Republic Act 11525 or the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021, Angara said there should be no letup in the efforts of the DOH and the local government units (LGUs) to educate the people about the safety, efficacy and benefits of the vaccines in order to encourage the unconvinced to get vaccinated already.

“Sapat naman ang supply ng bakuna sa bansa ngayon at ito ay bibigay na libre ng ating pamahalaan (There is sufficient supply of vaccines in our country now and this is given to us for free by the government),” he stressed.

“Malinaw din ang datos na nagpapatunay na mas ligtas ang taong bakunado kesa sa hindi kaya wala talagang dahilan para hindi pa sumailalim sa pagpapabakuna (Data records also clearly shows that those vaccinated are protected than those who are not, that’s why there’s no reason for anyone not to get vaccinated),” Angara added.