The country’s business sector is teaming up with the government to speed up the plan to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez confirmed on May 20 that some restaurant owners are planning to provide discounts to vaccinated individuals.
“The restaurants group, sabi nila ‘yung ibang miyembro nila will give different levels of discounts. I think some may be implementing this already. This is a private sector initiative para magpabakuna na ang hindi pa nagpapabakuna,” Lopez said in the Laging Handa public briefing.
In an interview with the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) on May 17, Senator Richard Gordon also confirmed that two American companies are ready to provide food to vaccine recipients.
“We provide incentives to get vaccinated. I talked to DD [Dunkin Donuts]; Krispy Kreme [is] doing in America, one donut if you get a vaccination. We’re also talking to our friends in Starbucks. Those two already agreed,” he said.
McDonald’s Philippines also confirmed to PTV that they are considering food discounts in line with its part on “Ingat Angat, Bakuna Lahat” campaign which “aims to raise awareness and education among Filipinos to boost vaccine confidence.”
“We are also exploring other initiatives to boost vaccine demand by offering perks like food discounts to those who already got vaccinated,” Adi Timbol-Hernandez, McDonald’s PR and communications senior manager said.
Small businesses, including those in the karinderya and milk tea business, are open to the idea of offering discounts and promos.
The government is urging the public to grab their chance of getting additional protection to aid the country’s recovery from the pandemic. – Report from Naomi Tiburcio/AG-jlo
Watch the full interview with DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez:
