PASAY CITY -- Senator Christopher “Bong” Go reassured the public that the pandemic efforts of the government are all based on good science and are well calibrated amid further relaxation of travel restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals.
“Calibrated po lahat ng approach ng gobyerno. Bawat araw po pinag-uusapan, pinag-aaralan. It is based on good science always at tinitingnan naman natin,” said Go during an ambush interview after the groundbreaking ceremony of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police Housing Project in Pulangbato, Cebu City on Friday, July 9.
“May mga improvements naman nangyayari not only dito sa ating bansa kundi pati na rin po sa ibang bansa. Pinag-aaralan po ‘yan ng ating mga experts. Halimbawa, ‘yung local tourist magtravel daw sila ipapakita lang po na you must be vaccinated with two doses na pwede na kayo mag travel without RT-PCR. ‘Yan po ay pinag-aaralan ng gobyerno. Kapag bakunado ka na, maaring protektado ka na,” he added.
Fully vaccinated people will only need to submit their vaccination card for inter-zonal travel as well as intra-zonal mobility under the revised travel protocols outlined in the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolution No. 124-5 issued on July 4. The negative swab test requirement has also been removed.
Those who have been fully vaccinated with vaccines that are included in the Compassionate Special Permit or Emergency Use Authorization List issued by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration or Emergency Use Listing of the World Health Organization are covered by the new protocols.
Meanwhile, Go continued to encourage all Filipinos to get vaccinated as government slowly restores physical mobility and reopen doors to safe travel.
“Mga kababayan ko, makinig kayong mabuti, kung gusto niyo na po makalabas, gusto niyo na po maka-travel, eh di magpabakuna na po kayo. Kita niyo ngayon, hindi niyo na kailangan magpa-test,” he said.
“’Yung bakuna isang saksak lang, ‘yung test sa ilong ninyo. Masakit ang ilong ninyo, panay kalikot sa ilong ninyo, tapos masakit pa talaga. Ngayon na bakunado na kayo, hindi niyo kailangan i-test, makaka-travel na kayo,” he also added.
“Pinag-aaralan naman po ang lahat. Dati parang 14 days quarantine period, ngayon pwede nang seven days pag bakunado ka na,” he further said.
As quarantine protocols are slowly eased, Go emphasized, however, that the health and safety of all Filipinos remain the government’s priority. He urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities.
“Unti-unting bubuksan ang ating quarantine protocols pero tandaan lang po natin parati nasa isipan po namin sa gobyerno ang kalusugan at buhay po ng bawat Pilipino,” said Go.
“Unahin po natin ang buhay dahil isang beses lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Before anything else, safety first po ng Pilipino,” he added.
Go also asked Filipinos to remain patient amid the quarantine protocols because they are meant to protect their lives.
“So huwag ho kayong magalit sa gobyerno kung paulit-ulit ho ang kanilang quarantine restrictions. Para naman po ito sa kapakanan po ng bawat Pilipino,” asked Go.
“Para po ito sa lahat ng Pilipino kasi buhay po ang nakataya dito. Uunahin po namin ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Importante po ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he ended. (OSBG)
