Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion have fully backed the the Metro Manila Development Authority’s proposal to limit the movement of unvaccinated individuals following the sudden rise in number of COVID-19 cases, particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The MMDA, through Chairman Benhur Abalos, was expected to issue a resolution urging local government units in NCR to enact their respective Ordinances on enhanced vaccination mandate to regulate the mobility of unvaccinated individuals in Metro Manila.
“This is what we’ve been pushing for ever since. This is what we are calling for under our Bakuna Bubble proposal, where we want to allow more mobility for vaccinated individuals,” said Concepcion.
“Under the Bakuna Bubble, the movement of unvaccinated individuals is limited so they won’t put themselves at risk of getting the virus and be afflicted with severe case of COVID-19,” he added.
Concepcion also lauded Abalos for taking this bold initiative, saying the decision would help alleviate the situation and will allow the economy and the people to move forward.
After the NCR was placed under Alert Level 3, the MMDA stressed the need to implement pre-emptive measures to address the rising number of COVID-19 cases.
Among them is regulating the mobility of unvaccinated individuals in Metro Manila, where they will remain in their residences at all times, except for procurement of goods and services, work, medical and dental necessities.
The MMDA also wants unvaccinated persons to be prohibited in indoor and outdoor dining in restaurants and other food establishments and be prohibited from leisure or social trips to malls, hotels, event venues and similar facilities.
They will also be prohibited from domestic travel via land, sea and air, unless if it’s for procurement of goods and services, work, medical and dental necessities.
Unvaccinated individuals will also be required to undergo swab test every two weeks at their personal expense and present a COVID-19 negative result prior to being admitted for work onsite.
Under the MMDA resolution, any individual or establishment that violates these rules shall be prosecuted and fine. Any person or establishment that will falsify COVID-19 cards shall also be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
“We expect business establishments to fully cooperate once these measures are implemented. We also want all of our employees and customers to be safe,” Concepcion said.
Under Concepcion’s Bakuna Bubble proposal, vaccinated individuals are incentivized with more mobility and less restrictions as a way to jumpstart the economy.
Concepcion will lead a Town Hall on Wednesday, 9 a.m. via Zoom on the COVID-19 situation in the country. Fr. Nic Austriaco and Dr. Guido David of OCTA Research and infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante are expected to join the event.
“In that Town Hall, we will discuss what can we expect this new year in terms of cases, hospitalization and trends and what can be done by the private sector,” Concepcion said.
