Senator Christopher “Bong” Go lauded the government’s efforts to accelerate the vaccine program as it officially opened inoculations to eligible economic frontliners belonging to the A4 priority group in a ceremony held in Pasay City on Monday, June 7.

In a virtual speech shown during the ceremony, Go said the country is on track to reopening the economy and thanked concerned authorities for heeding calls to fast track the roll-out and expand the inclusion criteria for the A4 priority group.

“I commend the National Task Force Against COVID-19 and [Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases] for accelerating the government’s vaccine roll-out and opening up the vaccination for the A4 priority group,” began Go.

“I also supported the expansion of the inclusion criteria … Importante ito para mas marami na ang mabakunahan at makabangon muli ang ating ekonomiya,” he said.

During the ceremony, symbolic vaccinations were administered to 50 individuals from the business process outsourcing, food service, mass media, tourism and transportation sectors and industries. Inoculations will begin in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Pampanga, Batangas, Cebu and Davao before expanding to the rest of the country.

“Para naman doon sa parte ng priority sectors, bagama’t hindi namin kayo mapipilit, nakikiusap ako na magtiwala po kayo sa bakuna dahil kapakanan ninyo ang inuuna namin. Kapag panahon niyo na para magpabakuna, huwag na kayo mag-alinlangan pa, magpabakuna na agad kayo,” he earlier appealed.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, the Senator reminded authorities to keep prioritizing vaccinations for medical frontliners, senior citizens and adults with comorbidities, and assist them by establishing special vaccination centers or lanes solely dedicated for their inoculation.

“Huwag nating kalimutan ang pagbakuna sa mga natitirang A1 to A3 … ang importante ay walang masayang na bakuna at walang masayang na panahon upang mas mabilis nating marating ang herd immunity sa ating community. Iyan ang target natin ngayong taong ito, ang ma-achieve natin ang herd immunity at hindi na kumalat ang sakit na COVID-19,” he appealed.

Go urged those still reluctant to get vaccinated to put aside their hesitancy, trust the science behind the vaccines and follow the recommendations of the health experts. He told them to schedule their first dose as soon as possible so they can protect themselves and help put an end to the pandemic.

“Nananawagan ako sa mga kababayan natin, magtiwala kayo sa bakuna. Huwag kayong matakot dito. Ang bakuna ang susi o solusyon upang unti-unti na tayong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay. Magtiwala lang tayo sa gobyerno at kailangan samahan n’yo ng kooperasyon at disiplina [ito],” said Go.

As government prepares to expand access to the wider population, the Senator also reminded authorities to ensure the orderly and efficient administration of the vaccines by clearly communicating the processes and procedures to be followed by the public.

He further stressed the importance to enhance coordination across all levels of government, the private sector and the public in order to safely deliver the vaccines to segments of the population that are hard to access due to socioeconomic factors or geographical location.

“Pagpasok ng bakuna, i-deploy at iturok ito kaagad. Dapat walang masayang. Naghahabulan tayo dito para ma-achieve natin ‘yung herd immunity … Dapat nating siguraduhin na mabilis at sistematiko ang pagdi-distribute ng mga bakuna lalo na mas marami na ang maaaring bakunahan,” explained Go.

“Lalung-lalo na ‘yung senior citizens … dapat puntahan na ng mga local government units at anyayahan sila na magpabakuna. Importante walang magkasakit, hindi umabot sa severe cases para hindi bumagsak ang ating health care system,” he continued.

To balance the country’s economic and health needs, the Senator explained that the government must swiftly vaccinate the priority groups in the order prescribed by health authorities. He called on eligible economic frontliners to get inoculated so that the rollout can be fast-tracked, moving on to the A5 priority group or those belonging to poor and marginalized sectors.

“Pagkatapos ng A4 pupunta naman tayo sa A5 … ang mga kababayan nating mahihirap na hindi alam kung saan pupunta at paano magpabakuna. Iyung mga na sa malalayong lugar dapat din natin bigyan, lalung-lalo na ‘yung mga kababayan natin na hindi pa nasulyapan kung ano ang itsura ng bakuna. Huwag natin silang kalimutan, ‘yung mga kababayan nating mahihirap,” he appealed.

“Kaya importante na ma-implement kaagad ‘yung A1, A2, A3 at mabuksan ang A4. [Dapat] ma-encourage ang ating mga kababayan lalung-lalo na ‘yung nasa A4 na magpabakuna na para unti-unti na tayong pumunta sa susunod,” added Go.

On that note, the Senator recognized the efforts of NTF chief implementer and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr., Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, testing czar Secretary Vince Dizon, and all government officials who are working tirelessly to ensure the systematic roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccines.

He also thanked all local officials who are at the forefront of the program as well as the government’s partners in the private sector.

“Iniimbitahan ko ang lahat ng miyembro na nabibilang sa A4 priority group na magpabakuna na sa inyong mga lokalidad upang manatiling ligtas ang inyong kalusugan. Your vaccination is the only way for our country to put an end to this pandemic and revive our nation’s economy,” said Go.

“However, let us remember that as long as the pandemic is here, we must continue to observe minimum health protocols … ‘wag kayong magkumpiyansa. Delikado ang COVID-19 kaya tandaan natin, mag-mask, maghugas, at mag-iwas. Bilang Chair ng Senate Committee on Health, asahan n’yo na gagawin ko ang lahat ng aking makakaya upang masiguro ang kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino,” he ended.

The event was also attended by Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, and representatives from the private sector.