Malacañang said that the fifth phase of the country's action plan against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will focus on economic recovery and vaccinating more Filipinos against the virus.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles made the statement following suggestions that the government's pandemic task force start taking steps to take Filipinos out of a pandemic mindset.
In an interview with Radyo Pilipinas, Nograles said that the National Action Plan Phase 5 (NAP 5), which is now being crafted by the different clusters of the government's pandemic task force, will focus on economic recovery in light of the Omicron variant being the predominant COVID-19 strain in the country.
"Ang focus natin dito would be on economic recovery, kumbaga pagbalik ng kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan (allowing people to make a livelihood anew)," he said Wednesday morning, February 9.
"Dapat mas marami po ang makakapag-hanapbuhay na. Mas marami ang employment. Ma-promote natin ang job promotion, investment, catch-up plan natin para sa economy (Many people should have a livelihood or employed. We should be able to promote our job promotion, investments, and catch-up plan for the economy)," he added.
The Palace official said NAP 5 will revolve around the fact that many people are now vaccinated against COVID-19. He added that the plan would ensure that more people, including minors, will get fully vaccinated and get their booster shots.
" under that context na marami na po sa ating mga kababayan ang fully vaccinated. Mas dadami pa po ang fully vaccinated diyan at nag-umpisa na rin po tayo ng vaccination ng ating mga kabataan (that many Filipinos are fully vaccinated and more will be the same. We have also started our pediatric vaccinations)," he said.
Meanwhile, when it comes to healthcare, Nograles said NAP 5 would include home-based care and procurement of COVID-19 drugs.
"Mas ma-focus na natin yung telemed (We will focus more on telemedicine), home-based care," he said.
"I-update natin yung (We will update our) plans for procurement ng treatment medicines against COVID. So apart from vaccination, meron na pong mga (there are) anti-viral treatments or medicines na available na rin po (that are available)," he added.