Senator calls for unity over COVID-19 vaccine deals
MANILA, Philippines — Amid challenges and controversy in the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, Sen. Bong Go urged public officials to refrain from finger-pointing and instead work together to implement a whole-of-nation approach to overcome the crisis and help Filipinos recover more quickly.
Go, chair of the Senate committee on health, also asked fellow public servants to remain united and focused on dealing with the true enemy which is COVID.
“Let us refrain from blaming each other, this is not helping the administration,” Go said on Friday.
As he called on the public to cooperate with the government, Go still asked Health Francisco Duque III to exercise accountability by explaining his actions with regard to the accusations thrown at him.
“Let us support our health officials, but they should account for their shortcomings if there are any,” Go said.
To boost public confidence and awareness on the COVID-19 vaccine roadmap, Go earlier urged the national government to conduct a massive information campaign to educate the public on the ongoing process that government is taking to secure safe and effective vaccines for Filipinos.
Earlier, President Duterte and Go expressed their willingness to be among the first to get a dose of the vaccine to encourage the public and allay fears on its safety and efficacy.
“As the chair of the Senate committee on health, one of my primary concerns is that vaccines against COVID must be deemed safe and effective, and procured at the soonest time possible,” he said
Go told concerned officials to act swiftly while exercising due diligence to ensure the availability of safe and effective vaccines for Filipinos, especially the poor and vulnerable sectors who must be prioritized.
Go also stressed that in every decision the government makes, the Filipino people deserve to know the truth since this is their government, it is their money that are being used and it is their lives that are at stake.
He also said that vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. remains on top of all matters pertaining to the vaccine, including its procurement, processing, storage and distribution.
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