Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Tuesday urged the government to strictly enforce necessary health and safety protocols, particularly in public places, as numbers of corona virus disease (COVID-19) infection cases in Metro Manila and other parts of the country continued to rise.

Go, chairman of the Senate health and demography committee, also called for greater cooperation and continuing vigilance from the public to slow the spread of the virus.

“Let us continue to work together and not waste the sacrifices we have done the past year in trying to control the spread of COVID-19. Let us support the National Vaccine Roadmap so we can all return to normalcy the soonest possible time,” he said.

In order to strictly implement health protocols, Go said that the government should continue to provide free masks in areas frequently visited by the public. He also asked concerned agencies to heighten the government’s information campaign about the country’s pandemic situation.

In line with this, Go appealed to the public not to fall into compliance fatigue and continue to remain vigilant against the virus. He assured the public that the government is accelerating the vaccine rollout and would ensure that other priority groups, particularly the poor and vulnerable sectors will not be left behind.

“Pagkatapos po ng mga frontliners, dadalhin po natin yang mga bakuna sa mga mahihirap na komunidad. Uunahin natin sila. Sa ngayon, bigyan po muna natin sila ng kailangang proteksyon tulad ng masks, face shields, at sapat na paalala sa mga patakaran na dapat sundin (After the frontliners, we will bring the vaccines to the poor communities. We will prioritize them. For now, we will first provide them with the needed protection such as masks, face shields, and keep them reminded of the guidelines to be followed),” Go said.

On top of distributing masks in public places, Go earlier urged concerned agencies to provide masks to those who cannot afford to buy their own and also help local industries by supporting local producers and manufacturers of masks.

“Wearing masks can save lives. Buying locally made masks can also provide jobs. Magtulungan po tayo upang makabangon tayo muli mula sa krisis na ito (Let us help one another so we could rise back from this crisis),” he said. Go echoed the observation of medical experts that the proper wearing of standard masks reduces the risk of contracting and spreading the virus by 85 percent.

Meanwhile, proper wearing of masks, coupled with face shields and social distancing, further reduces the risk to more than 90 percent. Go assured that the government is working hard to secure more vaccines for Filipinos so normalcy may finally be restored in the country.

“Allow me to reassure everyone that, as we navigate our lives during the pandemic, public service will not be hampered. We will stay truthful to our promise and commitment to serve the interest of the Filipino first before the political interests of anyone else,” he stressed.