Sen. Bong Go urged the Filipino people not to be complacent in the face of the ongoing pandemic by continuing to use masks as an additional layer of protection whenever possible.

"Kung hindi naman po discomfort o uncomfortable on your part, ang pakiusap ko lang sa inyo, magsuot pa rin ng mask. Dahil hindi naman natin alam kung sino ang may sakit sa inyong bahay na bitbit ay COVID-19," said Go in an interview after his inspection of the Super Health Center in Arakan, North Cotabato on Friday, October 7.

"Hindi rin natin alam ang dala nating sakit pag-uwi sa bahay at nandoon ang mga nakakatanda na posibleng mahawahan natin," he explained further.

"Remember, ang COVID-19 hindi natin nakikita, through test lang natin nalalaman. So importante protektado tayo habang patuloy ang pagbabakuna," he added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., on September 12, signed Executive Order No. 3, which makes wearing of masks optional in open spaces or non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation. Senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals, however, are highly encouraged to wear their masks.

Go, meanwhile, emphasized the need for the government to step up its vaccination efforts in order to persuade more Filipinos to receive their full vaccine and booster shots.

"Ako po'y nakikiusap sa ating gobyerno, ipagpatuloy natin sa mga barangay ang pagbabakuna. Huwag tayong makuntento na hanggang initial na bakuna na lang tayo, (importante rin ang booster shots)," said Go.