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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Roque defends celebration of jab milestones: 'There's nothing wrong with it'

Roque defends celebration of jab milestones: 'There's nothing wrong with it'

Published Aug 23, 2021 05:53 pm

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque has defended the supposed celebration of "milestones" in connection with the national government’s anti-coronavirus disease (COVID-19) efforts.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (center, standing) during the 30 millionth vaccination event on August 23, 2021. The "milestone" was marked inside a mall in San Mateo, Rizal (Screenshot from Facebook live)

Roque was asked in a virtual press conference Monday, August 23 on whether or not he thinks such events were "dangerous" to hold amid heightened quarantine classifications.

The Palace official held the presser inside a mall in San Mateo, Rizal, which served as the venue for the celebration of the country’s 30 millionth administered anti-COVID vaccine that same day.

"I don't think so po kasi unang-una nandito po kami sa area na hindi under MECQ ...Hindi po MECQ ang Rizal. Hindi naman po ipinagbabawal ang pagtitipon (because first of all, we are in an area that is not under MECQ...Rizal isn't under MECQ. Gatherings aren't prohibited)," Roque said.

"Of course we're very cognizant kung ano ang quarantine classification kung saan kami pupunta (of the quarantine classification of the place we're headed to)," he added.

Nearby Metro Manila or the National Capital Region (NCR) is among the areas in the country under MECQ and is the center of COVID-19 cases. The region just underwent a two-week ECQ, which is the strictest quarantine level.

"Wala pong masama na binibigyan natin ng importansya ang mga milestone (There's nothing wrong with us giving importance to these milestones).Because taking note of this milestone is a way of encouraging people ," insisted Roque, referring to the 30 millionth jab event.

"So my answer...we feel that this is part of effective government communication na magpabakuna ang lahat (to convince everyone to get vaccinated)," he further said.

In the same vein, Roque was also asked if holding inaugurations on newly-built quarantine facilities and modular hospitals are proper.

"Yung inauguration naman po ng mga facilities, dahil dapat naman malaman ng taumbayan kung saan napupunta ang kanilang pera lalung-lalo pagdating sa ating mga hakbang na ginagawa laban sa COVID-19 (As for the inauguration of facilities, it's only right for the people to learn where their money is going especially when it comes to the steps we are taking against COVID-19)," Roque said.

Related Tags

Harry Roque mecq dangerous ECQ milestones Rizal 82321 defended modular Metro Manila san mateo facilities Hospitals quarantine
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