Mass COVID-19 vaccination at the Makati Coliseum. Image from Facebook / MyMakati
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is studying proposals from business groups regarding the perks that certain private establishments could grant to people vaccinated against COVID-19.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the DTI does not plan to issue passes for vaccines that grant access to certain establishments. He said he is only looking at benefits offered by the private sector for those who get vaccinated.
“No. I said that we are considering various proposals from business groups. It has to be discussed yet by the Technical Group of IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases),” he said in a text message.
“Whatever policy, it will NOT be mandatory, such as barring entry if unvaccinated. But, if ever, one that can avail of some benefits offered by private establishments such as discounts, so as to encourage [the] population to get vaccinated so we can achieve herd immunity and reopen more the economy and bring back jobs to the jobless,” he said.
Lopez said the matter is “still being studied” by the DTI.
Earlier in the day, the Department of Health said it’s against providing vaccine passes to people already vaccinated against COVID-19 to get access to certain indoor establishments.
READ: DOH objects to ‘vaccine passes’ for access to indoor establishments
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said there is not yet sufficient evidence to conclude that a person after two doses of the vaccine is not susceptible to illness and infection.
According to Vergeire, initial studies indicate that the currently available vaccines cannot adequately block virus transmission. The vaccines’ apparent benefit is the reduction of the risk of severe infection and hospitalization.