The Davao City Health Office (CHO), in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU), confirmed the cases on April 16. Both patients were admitted to the isolation facility of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), but one, who was severely immunocompromised, died of complications unrelated directly to mpox.
“Hindi dapat mag-panic ang taumbayan,” Go said. “Pero mahalaga na alam natin kung paano mag-ingat. Ugaliing maghugas ng kamay, iwasan ang pisikal na contact lalo na kung may sintomas ang kausap, at agad magpakonsulta kapag may nararamdamang kakaiba sa katawan.”
Go specifically reminded the public of key preventive measures to reduce transmission risks.
“Apat na simpleng hakbang ang dapat nating tandaan,” he explained. “Una, iwasan ang malapit at intimate contact sa mga may sintomas. Pangalawa, panatilihin ang madalas na paghuhugas ng kamay gamit ang sabon o alcohol. Pangatlo, linisin at i-disinfect ang mga gamit o lugar na posibleng kontaminado. At pang-apat, umiwas sa mga hayop—lalo na sa mga mukhang may sakit—dahil puwede rin silang magdala ng virus.”
The senator reminded the public to follow health protocols issued by local health offices and to remain informed about developments concerning mpox, a viral illness transmitted through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces.
Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, reiterated that the government must remain proactive rather than reactive when addressing public health threats. He stressed the value of institutional preparedness and long-term structural reforms.
“Hindi sapat ang kampanya tuwing may outbreak lang,” he said. “Kailangan natin ng matatag na sistema, may plano, may pondo, at may sapat na kaalaman ang bawat Pilipino. Doon tayo nagkakaroon ng tunay na proteksyon.”
As part of his broader health agenda, Go has championed legislative measures aimed at strengthening the country’s capacity to handle infectious diseases. He filed Senate Bill No. 195, which proposes the establishment of the Center for Disease Control (CDC)—a dedicated agency tasked with overseeing disease prevention, monitoring, and containment.
“Kung may sariling CDC ang Pilipinas, mas mabilis tayong makakaresponde sa mga ganitong sitwasyon. Hindi na kailangang maghintay pa ng kumpirmasyon mula sa ibang ahensya bago kumilos,” he noted.
In parallel, Go also played a key role in the passage of SBN 2893 or the Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) Act, which was approved on third reading by the Senate on February 3. As principal author and co-sponsor, Go envisions the VIP as a cornerstone of the country’s scientific infrastructure—focusing on virology research, vaccine development, and pandemic response if enacted into law.
“Dapat maging self-reliant tayo sa paggawa ng bakuna at pag-aaral ng mga virus,” he added. “Hindi natin dapat iasa sa ibang bansa ang kaligtasan ng mga Pilipino.”
The senator's health reforms crusade, shaped in part by his long-standing work with indigent patients across the nation, continues to expand through initiatives like the Malasakit Centers, Super Health Centers, and the recently enacted Regional Specialty Centers Act. All these efforts are part of his push to bring quality healthcare closer to Filipinos, especially in underserved areas.
As the Davao City Health Office intensifies contact tracing and implements containment protocols, Go emphasized that public cooperation remains critical.
“Sa panahon ngayon, ang malasakit sa kapwa ay hindi lang basta pakikiramay. Ito ay pagkilos para mapanatiling ligtas ang ating mga pamilya at komunidad,” he said.
Go concluded his appeal with a reminder: “Ang kalusugan ng bayan ay hindi responsibilidad ng iilan lang. Tayo-tayo ang magtutulungan para manatiling ligtas ang Pilipinas.”
Senator Bong Go
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