Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Tuesday urged the public to be more vigilant and practice voluntary masking amid the emerging threats of communicable diseases in the country. 

Go, who chairs the Senate Health and Demography, emphasized the need for the government and the public to apply the lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic. 

He then urged the Department of Health to prepare the country's healthcare system as there's a threat of rising influenza and flu cases as well as other respiratory diseases. 

"The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the need for us to always prioritize improving the resilience of our communities and the health systems on which they depend," Go said. 

The DoH earlier warned about the increasing cases of the mycoplasma pneumoniae infection or "walking pneumonia" which was among the recorded influenza-like illness cases monitored in the country. 

In a recent senate hearing, DoH Epidemiology Bureau chief Dr. Alethea de Guzman said the health sector is now shifting onto pan-respiratory surveillance due to similar presentation of diseases between influenza, pneumonia, and Covid-19 — which begins with fever, coughing and sore throat. 

Further, Go asked Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa if the country is ready to combat the looming influenza diseases in the country due to "walking pneumonia."

Herbosa cited that the government has already learned a lot of lessons in handling infectious diseases from the country's fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. 

He noted that the DoH is also monitoring non-communicable diseases during holidays, including heart attacks, strokes and diabetes, as well as road accidents.

Meantime, Go's Malasakit Team, in a concerted effort with Councilor Mikey Belmonte, extended vital support to the underserved communities in Quezon City last Saturday, 16 December.

This endeavor was part of their ongoing holiday outreach program, aptly named "Pamaskong Handog." This particular initiative represents a continuation of their committed assistance efforts, which took place on 6, 8, 9 and 11 December.

Go, in his remarks, highlighted the true essence and spirit of the holiday season. He emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in these initiatives, demonstrating how joint endeavors can significantly impact the lives of those less fortunate.  

In another development, Go provided additional aid and support for the full recovery of typhoon victims in Oton, Leon and Maasin in Iloilo, by organizing a relief activity at the Bakhaw Mandurriao Integrated School last Friday, 15 December.