Senators: Pinoys must remain vigilant vs Covid-19 despite lifting of public health emergency  

 
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Sunday, July 23 urged Filipinos to remain vigilant against the threat of the Covid-19 despite the lifting of the state of public health emergency in the Philippines.
 
On Saturday, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced the lifting of the nationwide declaration, under Proclamation 297. 
 
“We respect the decision of President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. of lifting the state of public health emergency in our country. We trust that it was arrived at after careful consideration of the present health issue and the need to finally open up the economy,” said Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography. 
 
But Go reiterated his appeal to the Executive branch to ensure that the country’s healthcare workers receive their pandemic related allowances, as well as death benefits, for those who gave their lives in the fight against the Covid-19.
 
“With or without the State of Public Health Emergency, the government should fulfill its obligations to protect the lives of Filipinos, safeguard their health, and give what is due to them, especially to our medical frontliners,” he said. 
 
Likewise, Go urged Filipinos to still remain vigilant and to exercise caution: “My appeal to our countrymen is to continue to be careful, to take care of our bodies and prioritize our health.”
 
“We have learned and sacrificed a lot during this pandemic that will serve as a lesson for us to protect our community against various health threats,” the senator stressed.
 
As chair of the Senate health panel, Go vowed to continue pursuing the passage of laws that would support the Marcos administration’s health programs. 
 
Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada echoed Go’s sentiment, saying Filipinos must remain proactive in the efforts to protect public health and safety. 
 
“Hindi dapat ito maging dahilan para manumbalik tayo sa ating nakagawian. Bagkus, dapat isaisip ng bawat isa sa atin ang ‘new normal’—ang panatilihin ang pagiging maingat at responsable  sa ating araw-araw na gawain (This should not be a reason for us to return to our usual routine. Rather, each of us must keep in mind the ‘new normal’—in order to maintain caution and responsibility in our daily activities),” Estrada said.
 
But the President’s move to lift the public health emergency declaration “is a positive step forward in our nation's fight against the pandemic and the collective efforts of the government and the Filipino people in managing and containing the spread of the virus.”
 
“It is, likewise, a strong indication that we are on the road to recovery,” he noted.
 
“While we celebrate this development, we must remain vigilant and continue to follow health guidelines to ensure that the gains we have made are sustained,” Estrada added.
 
“Ito ay bilang sukli na rin sa mga sakripisyong ginawa ng ating mga frontliners na nangahas na makipagsapalaran sa gitna ng krisis pangkalusugan na naranasan natin (This is also in return for the sacrifices made by our frontliners who dared to take risks in the midst of the health crisis we have experienced),” he pointed out.
 
“Their undaunted dedication and heroism have contributed to our progress in controlling the transmission of the virus,” he emphasized.