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SEN. Bong Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, renewed his call for stronger disease surveillance and long-term public health preparedness following the confirmation of additional monkeypox (mpox) cases in various areas of Mindanao.
Go warned that while the situation is under control, these developments highlight the urgent need for proactive measures and resilient health care systems.
"For me, we can't just catch the problem when it's there. We need to be prepared, with institutions that can monitor and respond immediately to threats to the health of every Filipino," he stressed.
Health authorities from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao recently confirmed two mpox cases in Datu Odin Sinsuat and Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao del Norte. Six others showing symptoms have been isolated and are under close medical monitoring.
In South Cotabato, the Integrated Provincial Health Office reported confirming a total of 10 mpox cases across the province — one each in Banga, Koronadal City, Tantangan and Lake Sebu; four in T'boli; and two in Surallah. All individuals are under isolation and close medical supervision, while their identified close contacts are being monitored to prevent further transmission.
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These are in addition to earlier confirmed mpox cases across Metro Manila, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Central Luzon, Baguio City, Davao City and North Cotabato's Tulunan town.
Go reminded the public to stay calm but alert. "We must remain alert but not give in to fear. Let's listen to health experts and follow the advice of the authorities," he advised.
"For my second term, with all sincerity, I will continue to push for pro-poor programs and laws, mainly on health. Health is wealth. We must work together to bring quality medical services closer to our people, particularly the poor patients. Health is equal to the life of every Filipino," he declared during his proclamation as a reelected senator on May 17.
Among his priority measures is Senate Bill (SB) 195, which seeks to establish the Center for Disease Control (CDC) — a central disease surveillance, response and prevention agency. The CDC will strengthen the country's capacity to respond to local and global health threats.
Go also served as principal author and co-sponsor of SB 2893, or the Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) Act, which the Senate approved on final reading in February. If enacted into law, the proposed VIP will serve as the country's lead research institution focused on virology, vaccine development and emerging infectious diseases.
"We don't always have to rely on other countries for vaccines. We have to have capacity here in the Philippines. That is the purpose of the Virology Institute — to be more prepared and to reduce the fear of our countrymen during an outbreak," Go pointed out.
He emphasized that these initiatives are part of a broader mission to ensure that the country's health care system becomes more responsive, inclusive and future-ready. "If we want to protect the future of the country, we must start by taking care of the health of Filipinos," he reminded.
