Covid surge alarms senators

SENATE President Vicente Sotto 3rd believes that it is not yet safe to place the entire country under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) as he and other senators expressed alarm over the surge in Covid-19 cases.

Sotto and fellow Senators Panfilo Lacson, Aquilino Pimentel 3rd, and Mary Grace Poe voiced concern over the reported sharp rise in the number of infections.

The Senate chief on Monday pressed for stricter implementation of health protocols.

“We have become too complacent,” he said.

Poe said the alarming surge must “be addressed with quicker action to deliver the vaccines to health workers and other priority groups as we anticipate the arrival of more vaccines in the coming days.”

Lacson admitted that the spike is alarming.

“The government must determine the specific areas where the surges occur or are evident so that extra control measures and closer supervision can be instituted immediately,” he said.

“This is where the role of the LGUs (local government units) becomes indispensable since they are the closest to the potential spreaders, not to mention familiarity with the people in their localities,” Lacson added.

Pimentel urged Filipinos to boost their immune system, stay at home, and go out only if necessary.

“What this pandemic has taught us is to focus on the essential – strengthening the immune system. My appeal to all: if the purpose of going out is not important, then stay at home. For your own good,” Pimentel said.