Senator Christopher “Bong” Go gave assurance that the government is on top of the situation in managing the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Go said there is no reason to panic. He said President Rodrigo Duterte and the different government agencies, cabinet secretaries, and members of the Inter-Agency Task Force have spoken and answered all questions. He said the World Health Organization (WHO) was also there.

“Remain calm and help the government protect the country and its people from the virus,” Go said.

“Let us just follow what is right, the advise if our health authorities. Let us help one another. Let us blame each other,” Go also said.

He denied criticisms against the President amid the 2019-nCoV concerns saying, “Sa totoo lang po, bilang ama ng ating bansa, inuuna palagi ni Pangulong Duterte ang kapakanan, kalusugan at interes ng bawat Pilipino.”

He added that the President simply wants to make informed and balanced decisions, he first thought of everyone.

“He balanced everything. The decision was based on the declaration of WHO. Hindi naman basta basta na unang araw pa lang, ide-deklara na ang travel ban. Binabalanse po ni Pangulo ang lahat bilang ama, at kapakanan ng pangkalahatan ang nasa isipan nya,” he said.

With regards the depleting supply of surgical masks amid fears over the spread of the coronavirus, Go said that the government has allotted budget for the procurement of the masks and other equipment.

He reiterated the President has also approved a budget of around P2 billion for the procurement of protective equipment for the 5,000 health workers.

In a letter addressed to the President dated February 4, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III asked for supplemental funding amounting to P2,039,916,866.19.

Around P2.035 billion of which will be used to purchase masks and personal protective equipment for both Persons Under Investigations (PUIs) and health care workers.

The remaining P4.52 million will be for the accommodation and care expenses in connection with the quarantine of repatriated Filipinos.

In the meantime, Go said that health officials advised people with flu-like symptoms to undergo self-quarantine./STACY ANG