Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said that while the unemployment rate in the Philippines is now decreasing, the government should still pursue its COVID-19 vaccination program in order to hasten the country’s economic recovery.
Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography said the higher vaccination rates resulted to more relaxed health protocols and eventually opened up more sectors of the domestic economy and bringing in more employment opportunities.
The senator said the gradual reopening of the economy has led to the creation of jobs for Filipinos, which in turn has reduced the unemployment rate.
“I am happy na bumababa na po ang bilang ng mga nawawalan ng trabaho, nakakabalik na po sila sa normal na trabaho (I’m happy that the number of unemployed has decreased, we are now returning to normal),” said Go during a recent interview in Malvar, Batangas.
“Kasi part na po ito ng ating vaccination program, ‘yung ginawa po ni dating pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte na unti-unti nga pong buksan ang ekonomiya... kapag bakunado, mas protektado, mas makakabalik tayo sa ating normal na pamumuhay (Because this is part of our vaccination program, what former president Duterte did to gradually open the economy... when vaccinated, we are more protected, we can return to our normal lives,” the senator said.
“Pag bumukas ang ekonomiya, papasok po ang investor, papasok muli ang businesses at babalik na sa trabaho. Ibig sabihin, magbubukas na po ang mga negosyo at (babangon muli) kabuhayan natin (When the economy opens up, investors will come in, businesses will come in again and go back to work. That means, businesses will open and our livelihoods will restart ," said Go.
A report recently released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the unemployment rate in the country dropped from 5 percent in September of this year to 4.5 percent in October of 2022.
“Kaya nananawagan ako sa ating mga kababayan na magpabakuna po kayo, kapag qualified na po kayo sa booster shots. ‘Wag n’yo pong sayangin ang pagkakataon (That's why I am calling on our countrymen to get vaccinated, when you are qualified for booster shots. Don't waste the opportunity),” he urged.
“Madami pong bakuna sa gobyerno, ‘yung iba nga po nag-e-expire na. Kung qualified na po kayo, magpa-booster na po kayo (There are many vaccines available in government, the others are already expiring. If you are already qualified, get a booster),” Go reiterated.