COGNIZANT of the hard lessons from the pandemic, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go reiterated his firm commitment to push for the passage of his proposed measures creating the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP), which seek to improve the country’s preparedness in the event of similar public health emergencies. Both measures were mentioned by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in his first State of the Nation Address as part of the administration’s priority legislations.
Also mentioned was the creation of the Medical Reserve Corp which is also among Senator Go’s filed bills. In an ambush interview after providing assistance to indigent students in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, Go said that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the lives of Filipinos and had taught them the importance of being proactive in the face of such crises.
“Malaki ang naging epekto sa buhay natin sa COVID. Maraming pagbabago, marami tayong natutunan. Lessons learned ang mga ito. Hindi natin alam kung kailan darating ang bagong pandemya sa buhay natin. Mas mabuting maging proactive at mas handa tayo,” he said.
Go said these lessons prompted him to refile SBN 195, creating the Philippine CDC, and SBN 196, creating the VIP, and asked the government to continue investing on the country’s healthcare system to ramp up preparedness of the health sector.
“Nag-file po ako sa Senado ng Center for Disease Control and Prevention Act. So, ipagpatuloy po natin ang pag-invest sa ating healthcare system. Advocacy ko ngayon, health, paigtingin pa natin ang ating healthcare system,” said Go.
Under SBN 195, the CDC will lead the investigation of potential cases of public health emergencies; enforcement of regulations to prevent the spread of communicable diseases; procurement and distribution of vaccines, antibiotics and other medical supplies; and coordination with other countries and international organizations to improve disease prevention and control systems and practices.
“Ibig sabihin mas kontrolado natin, alam na natin at ang mga data ay mas kumpleto. So, ito po ‘yung tinatawag na Center for Disease Control and Prevention Act. Napaka-importante po ma-maintain natin ang active surveillance of diseases dahil, alam nyo, nabigla tayo noong unang panahon,” Go pointed out. Meanwhile, the VIP will serve as the principal laboratory of the country in providing virology laboratory investigations, research, and technical coordination of the entire network of virology laboratories nationwide. SBN 196 shall provide guidelines for the establishment and operation of testing, reference and biosafety Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 research laboratories throughout the country.
“Ito pong Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines Act of 2022, magkaroon din sana tayo ng kapasidad to produce our own vaccine dahil noong una, wala tayong bakuna. Umaasa pa tayo sa ibang bansa,” he lamented.
“Dapat magkaroon tayo ng kapasidad to produce our own vaccines para hindi tayo mahirapan mag-adjust,” he added. Indonesia, one of the Philippines’ Southeast Asian neighbors, approved on Friday IndoVac, a locally produced COVID-19 vaccine. Hailed as a move towards achieving “independence in access to medicine,” Jakarta emphasized the importance of creating its own vaccines.
During the interview, Go also noted that the 2023 national budget, once approved, will provide additional budget to the PhilHealth, ensuring the provision of more healthcare services to Filipinos and the proper implementation of the Universal Health Care Act.
“Hopefully naman po, kapag naipasa itong ating national budget, madaragdagan po ang budget ng PhilHealth from PhP80 to PhP100 billion. Hopefully po, ‘yung mga free checkup, ma-implement ng maayos ng Philhealth,” said Go.
“Napaka-importante po ‘yung PhilHealth sa ating Universal Health Care Act dahil pondo po ng PhilHealth manggagaling dito. So, inaasahan ko po na mas darami pa ang serbisyo ng ating Phil Health through the Universal Health Care Act,” he concluded. Former president Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act No. 11223 or the ‘Universal Health Care Act,’ in 2019, in effect making all Filipino citizens members of the National Health Insurance Program or PhilHealth.
The UHC is expected to reform the country’s health system by improving our health services delivery, providing significant insurance benefits and coverage, and responding to the gap in health workers throughout the country. On the same day, Go also attended the groundbreaking of the Super Health Centers in San Benito and Del Carmen, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte and provided aid to some of the residents.
