DAVAO DEL NORTE, Feb. 23 (PIA)-"Magtiwala po tayo sa gobyerno. (Trust the government)" Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go over the weekend appealed to the public during his address to flood-affected families in the Municipality of Sto Tomas.

He made the statement after having explained the arduous process that the national government had to go through before securing supplies of vaccine through the COVAX which is a global collaboration of largest and diverse portfolio of COVID-19 vaccine, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO).

True to what Go said over the weekend, the Philippine Senate tackled yesterday the indemnification bill which President Rodrigo Duterte had certified as urgent in support to the requirement of vaccine suppliers.

Go projected the bill to pass through Senate approval within the week, a fast move that runs in line with the desire of President Duterte to draw vaccine supplies the soonest possible time.

"Totoo po yon naiinip na rin po si mahal na Pangulo; nainip na po si President Duterte na napakatagal na po walang bakuna at hindi pa po dumarating (That is true, the President is getting impatient of waiting long for the vaccine to be delivered)," he said after referring to the indemnification requirement that has stalled the delivery of vaccine to the Philippines.

Aside from assurance of supply, Go also made the public understand that the Philippine government sees to it that vaccine supplies are safe for inoculation, taking cognizance of the still prevailing fear among of Filipinos of COVID-19 jabs.

He encouraged the public to trust the government saying the government has been making sure that drawn supplies of vaccine are safe. "Di naman po siguro bibili ang gobyerno kung may diperensya yan," (The government won't be buying if these have defects.)," he made the emphasis.

"Kung gusto po ninyong makabalik sa ating normal na pamumuhay, magtiwala po tayo sa gobyerrno; magtiwala tayo kay Pangulong Duterte. Magtiwala tayo kay Secretary (Carlito) Galvez, (If you want that we go back to our normal lives, trust the government, trust President Duterte; trust Secretary Galvez)," he was referring to Secretary Carlito Galvez chosen by President Duterte as the vaccine czar.

"At ginagawa naman po ng gobyerno ang lahat sa abot ng ating makakaya para sa Pilipinas (and the government has been doing all means possible for the Philippines)," he added. (PIA XI/ Jeanevive Duron Abangan)