Proposed ‘transport bubble’ for the vaccinated ‘not discrimination’ — Concepcion

Passengers show their vaccination cards upon entering the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 at Edsa-North Avenue Station to avail of a free ride starting Tuesday to August 20 2021, as the NCR reverts back to ECQ due to the rise of Delta variant covid19 cases. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA/PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion on Friday defended his proposal to deploy buses in Metro Manila for vaccinated passengers, saying it is “not discrimination” but solely a “health issue.”

Concepcion said he proposed the so-called “transportation bubble” in a bid to protect vaccinated passengers as they travel from home to their workplaces.

“We have to protect the people moving from their home to their workplace in a transport that will prevent them from getting [infected]. That is to have buses for fully vaccinated people also and buses for unvaccinated,” Concepcion said in an interview with Teleradyo.

“People will say discrimination. Hindi ‘to discrimination. This is a health issue,” he added.

Concepcion said he is set to meet again with Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade this Friday to discuss the matter.

Malacañang said it was open to the idea, but only if more Filipinos get vaccinated against COVID-19.

To spur economic activity, Concepcion also earlier proposed restricting unvaccinated people from entering establishments and at the same time, incentivizing those vaccinated by easing their mobility.

As of August 18, over 12.8 million persons have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in the country.

EDV