Moreno bats for strict border control to prevent entry of Omicron COVID-19 variant

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso speaks in front of Angkas riders

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso on Tuesday urged the government to remain vigilant in implementing strict border control around the country to prevent the possible entry of the Omicron variant, which is said to be more infectious than the Delta variant of Covid-19.

“Kailangan na vigilant, kailangan strict implementation of our border control. When I say strict, it goes for everyone. The rules apply to everyone: mahirap, mayaman, banyaga, o mga kababayan natin, dapat iisa ang rule, walang special. Baka kasi malusutan tayo and all we need is one infected person to spread it around,” Moreno said.

Moreno said the planned events for the Christmas season in December as well as the Feast of the Black Nazarene in January next year are continuously being assessed to determine whether to push through or not amid fears of the more infectious Omicron variant.

“Tinitignan ko muna yung Omicron effect para sa Nazareno. Kasi ‘yung Christmas tingin ko wala pa eh, wala pa tayong masyadong prinoproblema ngayon. We are ready. What we have last March in terms of capacity is still the same capacity that we have today in the city of Manila. In fact lumaki pa nga dahil dumami pa ‘yung gamot namin,” Moreno pointed out.

While Moreno wants to open all business establishments during the Christmas season, he urged Manila residents and workers to strictly observe the minimum health protocols so they can go out and go back to work safely.

“At the rate we are going gusto ko bukas ang negosyo, gusto ko bukas makalabas ang mga tao. Basta mag-pabukuna lang kayo at pag nakakaramdam kayo ng kakaiba, magpa-test kayo tutal libre naman. Life must go on. Learn to live with Covid-19 and go back to work safely,” Moreno said.

Moreno earlier urged all LGUs to prepare for Omicron Covid-19 variant by preparing hospitals beds and securing anti-viral drugs such as Remdesivir, Tocilizumab and the new drug Molnupiravir.

He also lauded the Duterte administration for making vaccination a priority with the three-day national vaccination drive from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.

“We in the City of Manila fully support the three-day national vaccination drive launched by the Duterte administration as this will be a big boost to the current vaccination efforts by local government units. We urge our people to have themselves vaccinated immediately in preparation for the new Omicron variant,” Moreno said.

“We also laud the gains we have achieved in bringing down cases of Covid 19 for the past months and we must work together to fight this new variant,” he said.

After the interview with reporters, Moreno went to the Kartilya ng Katipunan Monument beside the Manila City Hall to meet and greet hundreds of motorcycle riders who have pledged all-out support for his presidential run.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso with Angkas riders

At least a thousand motorcycle riders in blue, consisting of the whole Metro Manila fleet of motorcycle taxi hailing service firm Angkas, along with members of the Young Entrepreneurs Supporting Isko Moreno (YES Isko), gathered Tuesday at the Bonifacio Shrine, also known as the Kartilya ng Katipunan, as a show of support for Moreno’s presidential bid.

Despite being silent in the sidelines while Moreno led ceremonies for the 158th birth anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio at the nearby Liwasang Bonifacio, the presence of the “Sea of Blue” was palpable amid the formality of the event.

The 47-year-old Aksyon Demokratiko presidential aspirant engaged the group in a dialogue to hear the problems they face amid the pandemic, as well as their other grievances.

Moreno thanked them for the assistance they provided to Manila City’s medical front liners, as well as their full support to past “Blue Wave” caravans.

It can be recalled that during the modified lockdown in the capital region in August last year, Angkas partnered with Moreno to provide medical front liners in the city of Manila with free motorcycle rides and shields as part of its continuing campaign to assist healthcare workers.

Angkas bikers deployed to the city’s six district hospitals — Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center, Ospital ng Maynila, Ospital ng Sampaloc, Ospital ng Tondo, Sta. Ana Hospital, and Justice Jose Abad Santos Memorial Hospital — to ferry medical frontliners after their shifts.

And prior to the suspension of “Blue Wave” caravans, Angkas riders have also been a constant presence in past motorcades in Metro Manila.