Go Urges Stronger Disease Monitoring, Prevention

Sen. Bong Go, chairman of the Senate committee on health, reiterated the urgent need to strengthen the country's disease surveillance and prevention capabilities through legislative action, as new waves of infectious diseases continue to affect parts of the Philippines and other countries.

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At a public hearing on June 3 conducted by the committee, Go emphasized the importance of proactive measures in light of recent spikes in COVID-19 and mpox cases across the country, citing the need for greater public awareness and early interventions.

"A Virology Institute and the Center for Disease Control that would strengthen research and development on potential disease-causing agents and medical surveillance would be very important," Go said, underscoring the necessity of institutionalized infrastructure to combat emerging health threats.

He also stressed the Virology Institute has been identified as one of the administration's current priorities, saying, "The passage of a law establishing the Virology Institute is being discussed as an important priority of the administration right now."

Go played a pivotal role in the passage of Senate Bill 2893, or the Virology Institute of the Philippines Act. Principally authored and co-sponsored by the senator, the bill was approved on its third and final reading by the Senate on Feb. 3.