Around 5.4 million residents of the National Capital Region (NCR) or 56% of the region’s eligible population for COVID-19 vaccination are fully vaccinated.
Around 8.2 million individuals or 84% have also received their first vaccine dose.
In a Metro Manila Council (MMC) resolution signed by all NCR mayors, they urged the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to consider easing restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Benhur Abalos told PTV News that a thorough study is needed for a policy on protecting public health and recovering the economy.
“Ang mga Metro Manila mayors nakikita nila ngayon na maraming nagugutom talaga… Dapat matugunan na rin natin, ‘yun ang gusto ng mga mayors,” he said.
“We are asking for a thorough study of this, not only from the point of view of science, but most importantly also, equally important ‘yung mga experience ng ibang bansa na nauna sa atin,” he added.
Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion has expressed support on the move. Concepcion has been pushing for the implementation of a vaccination bubble which only allows fully vaccinated individuals in certain establishments.
He said this will not foster discrimination against the unvaccinated since this will only be implemented in areas with high vaccination rates, including Metro Manila.
“Halos lahat ng mga ospital ngayon, 75% of occupancy ay galing sa mga unvaccinated. Talagang delikado ‘yung unvaccinated kung lumabas sa panahon ng Delta, wala silang proteksyon hindi katulad ng kumuha na ng bakuna,” he said.
The Department of Health (DOH) said it will review all recommendations, but pointed out that not all individuals are vaccinated and that vaccinated individuals may still get infected and may still transmit the virus.
Malacaῆang said on Friday (Sept. 10) that 37,728,140 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the country as of Sept. 9. – Report from Patrick de Jesus/AG-rir
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