BONG GO IMMEDIATELY AIDS TYPHOON ENTENG VICTIMS IN RIZAL PROVINCE AS HE URGES PUBLIC TO STAY VIGILANT AGAINST TYPHOON RELATED DISEASES SUCH AS LEPTOSPIROSIS

As the typhoon season intensifies, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has called on the public to remain vigilant, highlighting the dangers of leptospirosis during the rainy months. Go also continues his commitment to providing immediate relief to communities affected by natural disasters.

On Tuesday, September 3, Senator Go’s Malasakit Team, in collaboration with Governor Nina Ynares, Mayor Sidney Soriano of Morong, and Mayor Jun Ynares of Antipolo City, distributed food packs to 1,250 families in Rizal province who were adversely affected by Typhoon Enteng.

Being an adopted son of CALABARZON, Go committed to help typhoon victims recover as his team held relief distributions at Sitio Pag-Asa Multipurpose Hall in Antipolo City, Tanay Municipal Gym, and Roman Tantiangco Memorial Elementary School in Morong.

“Sa panahon ng tag-ulan at pagbaha, kailangan nating bantayan ang ating kalusugan, lalo na sa leptospirosis,” Go warned. “Huwag nating balewalain ang panganib na dala nito. Lagi tayong mag-ingat at mag-ingat sa ating kalusugan.”

Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection spread through water contaminated by animal urine, poses a significant health threat during floods and heavy rainfall. Symptoms range from mild, flu-like symptoms to severe conditions, including kidney damage and liver failure, which can be fatal if left untreated.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Senator Go’s proactive stance is part of his broader mission to enhance the country’s healthcare infrastructure, especially in far-flung areas. He continues to support the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide, a crucial initiative designed to provide essential healthcare services closer to communities, thus reducing the strain on major hospitals.

“Ang pagtatayo ng mga Super Health Centers ay napakahalaga,” Go emphasized. “Kung kayo po ay may sintomas ng leptospirosis o anumang sakit, makakapagbigay ito ng pangunahing serbisyong medikal, konsultasyon, o kaya maagang pagtukoy sa mga sakit.”

Through the collaborative efforts of Senator Go, the Department of Health under Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa, and local government units, over 700 Super Health Centers are funded across the country, including 12 in Rizal province. This initiative highlights Go’s dedication to improving healthcare accessibility, especially during times of crisis.

“Ilapit natin ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa mga higit na nangangailangan,” Go concluded. “Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos, kaya patuloy akong magseserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya lalo na sa panahon ng inyong pangangailangan.”

With emerging viral diseases and other health threats, the lawmaker then underscored the importance of his twin bills, Senate Bill Nos. 195 and 196, that would establish the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Virology Science and the Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP), respectively.

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.

Meanwhile, 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.