Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Jose 'Joey' Concepcion III is fully backing the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA)’s proposal to limit the movement of unvaccinated individuals amid the current surge in the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The MMDA, through Chairman Benjamin 'Benhur' Abalos, Jr., 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,” Concepcion said in a statement Monday, Jan. 3.
The Palace official first floated the Bakuna Bubble strategy in late August 2021.
“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 lauded Abalos for taking this bold initiative, saying the move would help alleviate the situation and allow the economy and the people to move forward.
As the NCR was placed under alert level 3 from alert level 2 effective Monday, the MMDA stressed the need to implement pre-emptive measures to address the rising number of new 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 to prohibit unvaccinated individuals from eating in indoor and outdoor restaurants and other food establishments, as well as be barred 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 fined. 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 the Bakuna Bubble proposal, vaccinated individuals are incentivized with more mobility and less restrictions as a way to jumpstart the economy.
Meanwhile, Concepcion will lead a town hall meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 5, at 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.