MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go is set to meet the InterAgency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases with President Duterte as he echoed the call for a proactive, whole-of-society approach in fighting the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country.
“We should be one step ahead. We always be ready,” Go reminded government yesterday.
In a statement during a joint public hearing by the committees on economic affairs and on health and demography, Go said he and Duterte will meet the IATF to further discuss the government’s response to the COVID-19 situation following the President’s declaration of public health emergency for the entire country, as per his and the Department of Health (DOH)’s recommendation.
“As (the Senate’s) health committee chair, I am also invited to assess the situation. All agencies are all hands on deck in the present situation,” Go said.
The senator added that he would ask the DOH to give updates on the confirmed cases, contact tracing and availability of testing kits.
“Sometimes, in the provinces, it takes long to send and return (samples). The problem there is that a lot of people might have already contracted (infection) because of prolonged availability of results, especially in the Visayas and Mindanao,” he said.
Go also advised that the testing kits should be available and dispersed throughout the country to allow more people to access them, as prolonging the results might cause panic.
Safeguarding economy
In 2019, more than half of Philippine exports to China were shipments of electronic parts. The current situation might cause a decline in exports, particularly in electronics, according to the senator.
“I call on the Department of Trade and Industry to work closely with the affected industries and provide assistance to them to ensure that their operations and businesses would not take a serious blow,” he said.
As for workers who may be displaced by the health emergency, Go said he would also ask the Department of Labor and Employment to provide assistance to these workers.
Go has expressed concern over the possible impact of the disease on the country’s economy, particularly the tourism sector.
“According to the Asian Development Bank, in a worst-case scenario the Philippines may lose $1.9 billion due to declines in domestic demand, lower tourism and business travel,” he said, sharing his experience going to Aklan and witnessing firsthand the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry of the province.
Upon learning that there would be a hearing in Congress regarding the proposed supplemental budget to address the COVID-19 situation, Go expressed support for allocating more resources, if necessary.
“Filipinos’ lives are at stake here. If the availability of funds may not be certified by the Department of Finance, a lot would like to offer aid anyway,” he said.
Go added that he has talked to Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chair Andrea Domingo on the possible provision of additional budget.