Senator Christopher "Bong" Go urged the Department of Health (DOH) on Friday, Dec. 1 to closely monitor the rising number of respiratory illnesses in China.

Go, who chairs the Senate Health Committee told the public not to be complacent and to still wear face masks, if it's not a huge hindrance.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said that since mid-October 2023, it has been monitoring data from Chinese surveillance systems, which have shown an increase in respiratory illness in children in Northern China.

China’s National Health Commission reported on a nationwide increase in the incidence of respiratory diseases, predominantly affecting children. Chinese authorities attributed this increase to lifting of Covid-19 restrictions and the arrival of the cold season, and due to circulating known pathogens.

"Kung mayroon po kayong nararamdaman, magpacheck-up kayo, nandiyan naman yung mga Malasakit Centers, mga DOH Hospitals, government hospitals, even private hospitals, andiyan din po yung mga super health centers (If you're feeling unwell, get yourselves checked because the Malasakit Centers are there, the DOH Hospitals, government hospitals, even private hospitals as well as the Super Health Centers)," Go said.

He added that it's the reason why they're building more government facilities to bring medical interventions closer to the people.

Go also stated that he will always focus on improving and investing more on the country's healthcare system.

Go called on both the DOH and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to prioritize and speed up the release of unpaid Covid-19 Health Emergency Allowances of healthcare workers.

"Pinaghirapan nila yan, pinagpawisan nila yan. Hindi natin mararating ito kinatatayuan kung hindi po dahil sa frontliners sa sakripisyo nila, ang iba sa kanila nagbuwis ng buhay noong panahon ng pandemya (They worked hard for that. We would not reach our current state if it wasn't for frontliners and their sacrifice, some of them risked their lives during the pandemic)," he said.