PASAY CITY -- Senator and Committee on Health Chair Christopher “Bong” Go reiterated his appeal to Filipinos, particularly those in the priority list of the national vaccination program, to get vaccinated so they can be protected against COVID-19 and help the country return to normalcy soon once herd immunity is attained.

As an encouragement for the public to get their COVID-19 doses, Go said that an increasing number of vaccinated individuals in the country will pave the way for less restricted mobility and eventually the reopening of more public events, like basketball games.

"Ako po’y nakikiusap na magtiwala ho kayo sa bakuna. At nakikita ko kanina marami pa pong takot magpabakuna. Nandirito po ako to encourage them na ang bakuna po ang tanging susi o solusyon para unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa normal nating pamumuhay," said Go during visit to Taal eruption victims in Laurel, Batangas on Tuesday, July 13.

"Sabi ko naman eh magtiwala ho kayo na ang bakuna po ang solusyon o susi. Wala naman pong iba sa ngayon. Tingnan niyo po sa ibang bansa, nakakalaro na ho sila ng basketball, nakakapanood na sila ng basketball dahil bakunado po sila," he added.

Go shared that full vaccination is being considered as a requirement for individuals to watch basketball games live in other countries. The Philippine Basketball Association on the other hand is slated to open its 2021 season on July 16 following an approval from the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

"Isa po sa basehan, batayan para po makalaro na sila ng basketball o makapanood ay dapat po bakunado. Sabi ko naman, magtiwala. Natutuwa naman po ako na dumarami na po ang gustong magpabakuna," said Go.

Go also further encouraged the government to expedite the deployment of the COVID-19 vaccines to areas where they are most needed.

"Kaya po hinihikayat ko ang ating national government, i-deploy kaagad ‘yung mga bakuna…. marami na pong mga bakuna sa ngayon," he said.

"Ibig sabihin, ‘pag dumating ‘yung bakuna iturok kaagad, huwag ng patagalin. ‘Pag nasa priority list na po kayo mga kababayan ko. Halimbawa po… kayo po ay frontliners, senior citizens, persons with comorbidities at ito pong mga economic frontliners, and even indigents ‘pag may supply ng bakuna tulad ngayon, puwede na po silang magpabakuna agad," he added.

As of July 10, the country has received a total of 20,779,910 vaccines. A total of 3,152,1000 AstraZeneca doses arrived in the country on July 8 and 9, while 170,000 Sputnik V doses arrived on July 9 and 10. The country expects to receive a running total of around 50 million COVID-19 jabs from different manufacturers since they first arrived until the end of August.

He then urged all qualified individuals who are in the vaccine priority list not to waste the opportunity of receiving their COVID-19 doses and build protection against the virus.

"Huwag niyo na po patagalin, huwag niyo pong sayangin ang inyong pagkakataong mabakunahan. Libre naman po ito, mga kababayan ko. Pahirapan nga ang supply ng bakuna, eh kung nandiyan na po sa harapan ninyo eh, please grab it na po," said Go.

"Kunin niyo na po ‘yung pagkakataon dahil kung mahal po ninyo ang inyong mga pamilya at mga anak, dapat po ay protektado po kayo sa pamamagitan ng pagbabakuna," he added.

In encouraging Filipinos to get vaccinated, Go urged them to consider the hassle and inconveniences of taking COVID-19 tests, which will be lessened as a travel requirement for fully vaccinated people. Those who have completed all of their doses may also be allowed further mobility with less restrictions.

“Habang dumadami ang bilang ng mga nababakunahan, unti-unti at maingat naman po nating niluluwagan ang ilang restrictions tulad ng travel requirements para sa mga nakumpleto na ang kanilang bakuna,” he explained earlier.

“Kaya mga kababayan, kung gusto n’yo na pong makalabas nang mas maayos, kung gusto n’yo na pong makabiyahe, pakiusap ko lang po na magpabakuna na kayo at kumpletuhin ninyo ang doses ninyo. Dalawang saksak lang po ito, kumpara sa mas masakit na swab test, at higit pa sa lahat, sa sakit at kumplikasyon na dulot ng COVID-19. Kapag bakunado na kayo, mas makakabiyahe na po kayo,” he added.

“Ngunit habang unti-unti nating niluluwagan ang health protocols, iginigiit ko po na nananatiling prayoridad ng pamahalaan ang kaligtasan at kalusugan ng bawat mamamayan. Kaya, kagaya ng sinasabi ko po lagi, sumunod at makipagtulungan po tayo sa mga awtoridad,” he reiterated further. (OSBG)