Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Thursday led an inspection at Divisoria, one of the areas that throngs of people frequent amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although Domagoso admitted that it would be difficult for them to regulate the number of people going in and out of Divisoria, he vowed to continue enforcing government-issued health and safety protocols such as wearing of face masks and face shields and practicing physical distancing.
He also urged the public to cooperate to prevent an uptick of COVID-19 infections in the city amid the holiday rush.
"Ako'y nakikisuyo sa mga manininda. Alam ko gusto niyong makatinda. Alam ko, sa totoo lang, malaki ang kinikita niyo ngayon dahil mas maayos at mas mainam, ngunit kailangan maging responsable rin kayong manininda. Hindi akap nang akap ng lahat, baka maakap niyo may COVID (I am appealing to the vendors. I know that you want to sell your goods. To be honest, I know that you earn more now because the area looks better, but you have to be responsible vendors. Do not embrace everyone, what if you embrace someone with COVID)," he said in his speech.
"Pinipilit gampanan ng pamahalaan ang kanyang tungkulin, obligasyon at responsibilidad pero bilang mamamayan, mayroon tayong responsibilidad sa ating sarili at sa ating mga mahal sa buhay (The government is exerting itself to fulfill its duties, obligations, and responsibilities but as citizens, we also have a responsibility to ourselves and our loved ones)," he added.
Earlier, Domagoso encouraged the public to visit the "Paskuhan sa Maynila" Christmas village at Mehan Garden in Ermita as an alternative venue to do their Christmas shopping.
The Paskuhan sa Maynila, participated in by over 50 exhibitors, is open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and will run until January 2.