Marcos: More need to get booster shots as new school year nears
MANILA, Philippines — The present pandemic booster shot numbers are not yet good, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said, as he emphasized the importance of getting COVID-19 jabs in resuming in-person classes and reopening the economy.
Marcos said while conducting face-to-face classes is not that simple, it would be done successfully with proper preparations.
"First among them is ensuring that everyone has availed of booster shots, especially the young people so we can be sure that their bodies are ready when they return to school," the president said in Filipino in a YouTube vlog published last Saturday.
Marcos noted that some 15.9 million Filipinos have gotten their first booster shot while 1.2 million others have received their second booster dose.
"Hindi pa ito magandang numero kumpara sa target natin na 100% kaya hindi tayo magsasawang pakiusapan ang ating mga LGU (local government units) na maging mas agresibo dito sa kampanyang ito (These numbers are not yet good compared to our target of 100% so we will never get tired of urging LGUs to be more aggressive in this campaign)," he said, adding that about 15.2 million learners are expected to enroll this year.
The Marcos administration recently launched the Pinas Lakas campaign, which aims to administer COVID-19 booster shots to 23.8 million persons within its first 100 days. Last month, Marcos said there is no need for a law making booster shots mandatory but maintained that the jabs help a lot in preventing severe COVID-19 cases.
The opening of classes will be on Aug. 22.
Marcos said the opening of classes would affect not just students, but also workers in the transport sector and the retail industry.
"Our students need to commute to school so there will be additional jobs in our transport sector. Public transportation should be ready to implement minimum safety standards," the president said.
Marcos noted that students would need school supplies and food so the retail industry can expect an influx in earnings. The country's workforce would also increase as parents are expected to have time to work if their children are in school, he added.
"Kapag ito ay naging matagumpay, hindi lang ito balik-eskwela, kundi balik negosyo, balik hanapbuhay at balik kaunlaran. Ito’y masasabi ring malaking tulong sa malawakang kilusan natin ng pagbubukas ng ekonomiya (If this campaign succeeds, it would not only mean a return to school but also a return of businesses, livelihood and development. It will be a huge help to our extensive efforts to reopen the economy)," Marcos said.
"Maraming industriya ang magiging bahagi at makikinabang sa hakbang na ito kung kaya’t dapat siguruhin natin na ang lahat ay handang handa (Many industries will take and part and will benefit from this move so all of us should ensure that everyone is ready)," he added.
- Latest
- Trending
