President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. urged the public not to be complacent and take their Covid-19 booster shots to usher in a better and brighter Philippines.
Marcos said this following the detection of new Covid-19 Omicron subvariants -- the XBB and XBC -- in other countries and the rise of coronavirus cases over the past week.
In his speech during the 75th Ormoc City Diamond Charter Day celebration, the President noted that the public seemed to have forgotten that the pandemic was not yet over.
He said while the pandemic has become "weak," the public should still take their booster shot.
"Mayroon pa rin tayong kailangang pag-alagaan. Kung minsan dahil... ‘Yan ganyan, wala na tayong masks. Hindi na tayo masyadong maingat ay nakakalimutan natin nandiyan pa ang pandemya (We still need to be cautious. Sometimes -- like this, we're not wearing masks. We're no longer being careful and we forget that the pandemic is still here)," the President said.
"Medyo mahina na pero mas hihina ‘yan kung tayo po ay magpa-booster shot (It's become weak and it will become even weaker if we take out booster shot)," he added.
According to Marcos, booster shots are essential so the country's economy can fully reopen and the government can finally lift the restrictions.
"Magpa-booster shot po kayo para mabawasan na ‘yan lahat ng infection, mabuksan na natin lahat ng negosyo (Get your booster shot so we can lessen the number of infection and we can open all businesses)," he said.
"Wala ng protocol, wala ng plastic, wala ng kung ano-ano pa. Bukas lahat ang restawran, bukas lahat ng mga tindahan, bukas lahat ng mga panghahanap-buhay ng ating mga kababayan (No more protocols, no more plastic, no anything. The restaurants, stores, and all kinds of livelihood will be open)," he added.
"I-prioritize natin ang ating (Let's prioritize) health so that with renewed vigor and with renewed strength, we can act unrestrained in our efforts to bring forth a better, a brighter, and more united Philippines for everyone," he continued.
President Marcos noted that in Ormoc City, only 33 percent of the eligible population had received their booster shot.
"Mababa pa tayo sa booster uptake. Dito sa inyo, 33 percent. Pero alam ko kaya ninyong paakyatin ‘yan (We still have a low booster uptake. You in Ormoc are only at 33 percent. But I know we can increase that)," he said.
"It is essential that we increase that rate to 50 percent para mayroon tayong tinatawag na wall of immunity. Magtulungan tayo (so we can have the so-called wall of immunity. Let's help each other)," he added.
This week, the Department of Health (DOH) warned that the number of Covid-19 cases in the Philippines could hit 18,000 per day by November 15.