Senator Bong Go: It is difficult to change our captain in the middle of this crisis.
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has encouraged the public to exhibit “Bayanihan spirit” to curb the coronavirus disease pandemic after his 14 colleagues at the Senate called for the resignation of Health Chief Francisco Duque III.
Go said that while he respects the position of his fellow senators, it will also be challenging to change the leadership of the health department during the COVID-19 crisis.
“Pero nais ko rin ipahatid ang aking posisyon na sa panahong ito, mahirap na magpalit pa tayo ng “kapitan” sa gitna ng digmaan,” Go, who is the chair of Senate committee on health, said in a statement.
(But I would like to share my position during this time of crisis, it is difficult to change our captain in the middle of this crisis.)
“Tulungan nalang natin siya at magbayanihan tayo para mas mabilis nating malampasan ang pagsubok na ito,” he added.
(Let us help him and exhibit bayanihan so that we can swiftly address this problem.)
Go also ensured that he will monitor lapses in health services for patients and issues in DOH’s efforts in the COVID-19 fight. He added he would also monitor the spread of fake news during the coronavirus disease crisis.
“Bilang Chair ng Senate Committee on Health, binabantayan natin lahat ng pagkakamali tulad ng hindi pagtanggap ng mga ospital sa mga may sakit, mga mali o kulang na impormasyon na ikinakalat, at lalo na ang lahat ng pagkukulang ng DOH sa pagresponde sa krisis. Kung merong dapat managot, papanagutin natin sa tamang panahon,” he said.
(As the chair of Senate Committee on Health, we will monitor all lapses such as refusal of hospitals to take care of patients, the spread of misinformation and especially lapses of DOH in responding to the crisis. If someone should be punished, we will penalize them at the right time.)
The senator also underscored that the national government is cooperating with the DOH to flatten the coronavirus curve in the country.
“DOH cannot do it alone. This is the reason why President Rodrigo Duterte has instructed the military to get involved given their expertise in handling crisis situations,” he said.
He also assured the public that government officials especially, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and even the private sector are helping in the fight against the coronavirus disease pandemic.
“Nandyaan po ang National Task Force na pinangungunahan ng retired generals tulad nila Secretaries Lorenzana, Galvez at Año para ma-reinforce ang iba’t ibang aspeto ng ating laban kontra COVID-19,” he said.
(The National Task Force, being led by retired generals Secretaries Lorenzana, Galvez, Año to reinforce different aspects of our fight against COVID-19.)
“The whole government and even the private sector are taking part in this fight for us to heal as one,” he added.