Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has recently expressed his full support for the establishment of the National Disease Prevention Management Authority, Medical Reserve Corps, and the Virology Institute of the Philippines.

The measures were discussed during the Third Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council meeting after the senator attended the groundbreaking for the Super Health Center in San Mateo, Rizal.

When asked about the progress of these initiatives, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health stressed his full support and is optimistic that these will be approved this year.

Go clarified that the NDPMA is essentially the same as the previously named Center for Disease Control and Prevention bill as he reiterated the importance of being prepared for possible future pandemics, citing the country's experience with Covid-19.

He recalled how the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine became a crucial office for Covid-19 testing, despite almost losing its funding during the 2019 budget deliberations.

"In 2019, before the pandemic came, the budget for the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine was almost cut. We did not agree. In fact, we increased them during the budget deliberations," Go said.

"My hunch was right, who would have thought that RITM would be one of the most important offices during the pandemic? RITM is also capable of testing other infectious diseases besides Covid-19," he added.

He concluded by saying that he supports these initiatives that will benefit Filipinos, the healthcare system, and the less fortunate.

To recall, the senator has filed his own versions of these measures in the Senate — Senate Bill 195 or the creation of a Center for Disease Control and if passed, the CDC will serve as the country's central hub for disease prevention, surveillance and control, focusing on both infectious and non-communicable diseases.