Senior citizens wait for their turn to get vaccinated in Valenzuela City. (Image from the Valenzuela City government website)
MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila Council (MMC) chairperson and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez said Friday he has suggested allowing individuals aged 65 and above and fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to leave their residence and visit public areas.
Olivarez said he personally raised the suggestion to Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire.
“Ako mismo nag-raise nyan kay [Undersecretary] Vergeire na sana ‘yung ating mga naka-two dose na na senior citizen at mayroon silang vaccination pass ay payagan ‘yung mga 65 and above,” Olivarez said in an interview on ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo.
(I raised the matter with Undersecretary Vergeire.)
“Pero wala pa hong sagot ang ating experts. Pag-aaralan pa rin nila pero andan yung mungkahi natin para payagan sila,” he added.
(Health experts, however, have yet to study the proposal.)
Olivarez said it was the unified stand of the MMC, but clarified that a final recommendation can only be made following consultation with experts.
“Pag-uusapan ‘yan based sa ating consultation sa DOH. Alam naman po ninyo, bago magrekomenda ang ating Metro Manila Council based on science at based on data,” Olivarez said.
Malacañang earlier urged senior citizens who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 to stay at home until the Philippines achieves population protection.
Even though the COVID-19 vaccine can prevent serious cases and death due to the disease, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said senior citizens remain “especially vulnerable” amid the pandemic.