Eased limits draw mixed reactions
MANILA, Philippines — Most lawmakers are conflicted over the easing of quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces in a bid to revive the economy even before the government’s vaccination program against COVID-19 has gained traction.
Speaker Lord Allan Velasco was optimistic that the general community quarantine (GCQ) “with heightened restrictions” would work.
“Given the need to revive consumer spending, but balanced with the threat of new variants, ‘GCQ with heightened restrictions’ is a good median,” Velasco said, after quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces were eased from May 15 to 31.
Worse than last year
But other House members disagreed and argued for an intensified vaccination program.
“The situation today is much worse than the scenario in May to July last year,” said Rep. Angelica Natasha Co of the Barangay Health Workers party list.
Co expressed disappointment at the easing of restrictions despite the slow government vaccination program.
Co suggested the immediate vaccination of bus and jeepney drivers, personnel in train and bus stations and seaports, and frequent disinfection of transport facilities.
Under 50K jabs a day
Albay Rep. Joey Salceda pointed out that countries that have vaccinated a critical mass of their population “were able to reopen without these minor differences in restriction as we have now.”
“We are vaccinating at under 50,000 per day,” he noted.
“That is really the inescapable issue with COVID-19. Unless you vaccinate, you will continue to have restrictions,” he added.
But Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., the country’s “vaccine czar,” said the delivery of doses to the country was ramping up and public acceptance of the vaccines was growing.
The current challenge the country faces is to use up the 5.156 million doses in its inventory at the soonest possible time, Galvez said.
“We are looking at the gaps as to why our inventory is a bit high, and we want to bring this down within the next few days,” he said.
—WITH REPORTS FROM LEILA B. SALAVERRIA AND DEXTER CABALZA
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