League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) national president Presbitero Velasco Jr. urged the governors on Wednesday, July 13, to implement measures that will boost the rollout of Covid-19 booster shots as he stressed that local government units (LGUs) have the power to ban unvaccinated persons and those with no booster shots in establishments in their respective localities.
Velasco also suggested that incentives may be given like financial aid and food packs to entice more individuals to get the booster shots or in some instances be injected with the first and second doses of the Covid-19 vaccines.
In the recent weeks, the number of active Covid-19 cases and deaths have steadily increased with more businesses being open to the public. Many medical doctors have also pushed for booster shots as Covid-19 cases had skyrocketed in recent weeks.
“Kami naman ay tuloy-tuloy ang pagpapatupad niyan (Covid-19 booster shots) (We have continuously enforce giving the Covid-19 booster shots),” Velasco said.
Velasco, who is also the Marinduque governor, stressed that the LPP is also encouraging the rural health units and the medical practitioners to further enhance the Covid-19 booster shot rollout.
Earlier, President Ferdinand "Bongbong’"Marcos Jr. told the newly-elected governors and mayors to support the government’s campaign on Covid-19 booster shots in preparation for the in-person classes and to boost the country’s economy.
For his part, Velasco assured the LPP’s full support in the Marcos administration’s booster campaign.
“Ang mga (The) governors are in full support sa (in the) appeal ni (of) President Marcos Jr. na palakasin ‘yung (to enhance the) booster campaign kasi na-realize naman namin ‘yung merito diyan na talagang kailangan ng booster shots para lumakas ang immune system, para hindi mahawa (ng Covid-19) (because we realized that merit that the booster shots are really essential to strengthen the immune system to prevent being afflicted with Covid-19),’’ he added.
The LPP, according to ,will further strictly enforce the appropriate health protocols against the virus referring to wearing of face masks in indoor and enclosed places and physical distancing among others.
“Tinitingnan din natin ‘yung physical distancing kung nasa labas (We will check on the implementation of the physical distancing rule in outdoor areas),” Velasco maintained. (Chito A. Chavez)