Quezon City offers cash aid to vendors who get jab

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government will give cash incentives to vendors who will get vaccinated against COVID-19 this month.

Mayor Joy Belmonte has signed a memorandum providing P2,000 in cash aid to ambulant and market vendors as well as employees who are willing to get COVID jabs until Jan. 31.

“Most of our market vendors cannot leave their stalls because of possible loss of income. So to encourage them to take a day off to get vaccinated, we will provide them with incentives,” Belmonte said.

“This program seeks to protect both the market vendors and their customers whom they come into close contact with every day. If they get vaccinated, we are protecting them from the virus and improving the city’s overall immunity,” she added.

The local government earlier approved an ordinance regulating the mobility of unvaccinated people in Quezon City.

The measure is in line with a resolution issued recently by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

Belmonte said they recognized the limitations faced by vendors, who may not be inclined to get vaccinated because they would lose their earnings for the day.