These challenges must unite us, not divide us!

The fight against the Covid-19 virus continues as the country braces for more possible surges of infections all over the world. While our government remains on top of the situation, a whole-of-nation approach is necessary to overcome these challenges.

This is why we seek everyone’s solidarity in observing proper health protocols to ensure that we keep new infections at bay and not further overwhelm our health care system. Thus, I am asking for the cooperation of employers to ensure that workspaces are safe for everyone. Every agency or company should further refine its safety measures to minimize the risks of transmitting the Covid-19 virus while ensuring that essential business operations remain unhampered.

I also call on the government to amplify the production and distribution of masks, especially to those who cannot afford to buy their own. The government must step in to provide these necessities and ensure compliance of the public to minimum health standards.

Recently, I have been receiving queries on the possible uses and risks of Ivermectin in treating Covid-19. Let me clarify that I am not advocating for the use of any specific drug. We have regulatory processes in place that must be followed to protect the welfare of the public.

However, I continue to urge the government to have an open dialogue with proponents and facilitate a thorough scientific study of these potential Covid-19 medications and treatments. We must keep an open mind so that Filipinos can be given access to any drug that may help prevent or cure Covid-19 as long as it has undergone the right process and is scientifically proven safe and effective.

Given the hardships caused by the pandemic, Filipinos are in need of alternative options to protect themselves and their loved ones from sickness. We, as public servants, must hear them out and work harder to find viable solutions. Just like the President, we should adopt a more inclusive approach in dealing with issues so that every Filipino can participate and contribute to the bayanihan efforts.

As we continue to do our best to address the current situation and save more lives, we must also learn from these experiences, identify gaps in government response mechanisms, and be more proactive in preparing for other similar crises in the future.

That is why I support and commend the ongoing efforts of the government, in coordination with the private sector, to set the foundation of being “vaccine self-reliant” in the years to come.

As an immediate step, I thank pharmaceutical industries for showing interest in locally manufacturing Covid-19 vaccines in the Philippines. With this, I ask the various concerned government agencies to work in synergy with the private sector on this promising endeavor and make it easier for all stakeholders to share their expertise.

In the long term, investing heavily in health research initiatives should be pursued. It is for this reason that I recently echoed President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to establish a virology institute that will capacitate the country to conduct scientific research initiatives and eventually develop our own vaccines. These efforts are intended to avoid similar situations where poorer nations are left with fewer supplies of vaccines as compared to more developed countries that have early on invested in health sciences and medical research.

While we amplify our efforts to save lives now and better prepare the country for future crises, we should also ensure that no Filipino is left behind toward recovery. That is why my office remains focused on helping our fellow Filipinos who continue to be affected by this pandemic and other crisis situations.

Last week, my office and I continued to help fire victims who lost their homes and properties. On Monday, 12 April, we helped 140 families in Dasmariñas City, Cavite; 17 fire victims in Buhangin, Davao City; four families in Barangay San Andres in Cainta, Rizal; and two more families in Barangay Dagat-Dagatan, Caloocan and Barangay Roxas, Quezon City. Then on Tuesday, 13 April, we went to Barangay Pantal Bani Riverside in Dagupan City to help 124 families. On Friday, 16 April, my staff provided assistance to 52 families who are victims of two different fire incidents in San Mateo, Rizal. Finally on Saturday, 17 April, we also assisted 326 families in Bacoor City, Cavite.

We also provided aid to our kababayans affected by typhoon “Auring” in Surigao del Norte. On Tuesday, 13 April, we provided assistance to 64 typhoon victims in Burgos; 102 in Pilar; 289 in San Isidro; and 800 more in General Luna. Then by Wednesday, 14 April, we helped 178 victims in Dapa; 353 in San Benito; and 50 more in Socorro.

We extended assistance to various sectors whose livelihoods have been adversely affected by the pandemic. From 13 to 15 April, we joined concerned agencies in providing aid to more than 5,000 market vendors in Capiz, particularly those from the towns of Tapaz, Jamindan, Dao, Sigma, Ivisan, Sapian, Cuartero, Mambusao, Pilar, Panitan, Maayon, Pontevedra and Roxas City. We also assisted 508 musicians and displaced entertainment workers in Zamboanga City; 120 vendors, tricycle, and habal-habal drivers in Iligan City; 3,615 TODA members, market vendors and beauticians in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan; 415 LTFRB taxi drivers in Cagayan de Oro City; and 3,307 TODA members and vendors in Calasiao, Pangasinan.

Another team was also at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City from 12 to17 April, where we provided additional aid to 1,217 indigents, TNVS drivers, displaced workers, and other vulnerable sectors.

In all these activities, the beneficiaries received various forms of aid such as meals, food packs, masks, face shields and vitamins. Some were also provided bicycles, shoes and computer tablets. Concerned government agencies also continued to provide support to these beneficiaries based on their existing programs.

We made sure that we conducted these activities in batches, with health and safety protocols in place, to prevent the further spread of Covid-19 and other diseases.

My fellow Filipinos, all of us play an important role in ending the Covid-19 pandemic. So, let us work together to break the chain of infection. The vaccines are already here and are continuously being rolled out across the country. As we wait for our own turn, let us look out after one another and remain vigilant against the threats of Covid-19.

Lastly, while we continue to call for unity and bayanihan, there are others who intentionally choose to sow hate and spread disinformation. To these fearmongers, if you want to die first, go ahead! Your efforts will not derail our focus in serving our fellow Filipinos with utmost diligence, compassion and empathy.

These challenges must unite us, instead of divide us. Let us show the world that no crisis can break the spirit of the Filipino people.

“I continue to urge the government to have an open dialogue with proponents and facilitate a thorough scientific study of these potential Covid-19 medications and treatments.

“In the long term, investing heavily in health research initiatives should be pursued.