Duterte adviser backs limiting mobility for unvaccinated people

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte’s adviser for entrepreneurship Secretary Joey Concepcion is supporting the limited mobility for unvaccinated individuals.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority earlier announced Metro Manila mayors’ directive for unvaccinated individuals to remain at home except when procuring essential goods and services.

“I fully support it at (and) finally we’re putting more teeth into implementing kasi (because) this is the common good,” Concepcion said during Tuesday’s Laging Handa briefing when asked if the move should also be implemented in Bulacan, Rizal, and Cavite.

Like Metro Manila, the three provinces will likewise be placed under Alert Level 3 on January 5.

“Hindi natin pwedeng i-lockdown parati ‘yung mga lugar natin kasi ‘yung economy natin talagang we will have a hard time,” said Concepcion.

(We cannot always lock down areas because of our economy, we will have a hard time.)

For Concepcion, the measures should be implemented across the country.

“I believe this is the way we should move all over the country. It’s not that we are depriving them of their rights to movement. It’s that we are protecting them from getting infected because hindi sila bakunado at klarong-klaro, ang napupuno sa ospital ay mga hindi vaccinated (because they are not vaccinated and it is clear that most of those hospitalized are unvaccinated),” he pointed out.

The presidential adviser encouraged Filipinos to get a COVID-19 vaccine and a booster shot, if already eligible.

“So, we are urging every citizen that this pandemic, we will want it to end, we have to do our part. Kumuha na tayo ng bakuna (Get vaccinated), especially mga booster shots,” he appealed.

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