Restaurants mull giving discounts to COVID-19 vaccinees — DTI

(FILE) Alfresco diners enjoy their meals minding safety and health protocols at the designated outside dining area of restaurants in SM City North Edsa in Quezon City. The national government has allowed limited indoor dine-in in restaurants and the reopening of barbershops, beauty salons and nail salons in NCR Plus under MECQ starting May 1.- INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Some restaurants are mulling to give COVID-19 vaccinees “different levels of discounts” in a bid to encourage more Filipinos to get vaccinated, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Thursday.

“Nakarinig tayo ng proposals [for incentives] like sa restaurant group. Sabi nila, ‘yung mga ibang myembro nila will give different levels of discounts,” he said in a Laging Handa public briefing when asked what incentives the private sector is eyeing to give vaccinated individuals.

(We heard proposals like in the restaurant group. They said some of their members will give different levels of discounts.)

“I think some maybe are implementing this already. ‘Yun ay private sector initiative para talagang mahikayat na magpabakuna na ‘yung mga hindi pa nagpapabakuna,” Lopez added.

(This is the initiative of the private sector to encourage individuals to get vaccinated.)

He also thanked the private sector for coming up with such incentives.

However, Lopez maintained that the main benefit of getting vaccinated is preventing getting severe symptoms of COVID-19 and being hospitalized.

He reminded the public to get vaccinated regardless of the brand.

Senator Richard Gordon earlier suggested that incentives—like donuts or coffee—be given to those who will have themselves inoculated against COVID-19.

/MUF