Isko Moreno: Incentives should be given to those vaccinated, not the unvaxxed

Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso reiterated that persons who go out of their way to get fully vaccinated with the added booster shots to further protect themselves from Covid-19 infection should be the ones rewarded by government and not those who refuse to get inoculated.

The 47-year-old Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer made the remark Thursday in an interview by reporters while inspecting the drive-thru booster shot facility for 4-wheel vehicles in front of the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta.

According to Moreno, it’s quite unfair for people who wake up very early to go to the vaccination centers in order to get their first shot, second shot, and booster shot and not get any incentive from government, while those who refused to get vaccinated are the ones being offered incentives.

“Ngayon halimbawa, ayaw niyong magpabakuna, o stay at home kayo. Wala naman masama at least maaalagaan kayo ng mga mahal nyo sa buhay sa loob ng bahay. Kasi tingnan niyo eto, maniniwala ba kayo na alas kwatro ng umaga may nakapila na dito? So, nagtiyaga. Alas kwatro ng umaga nagtiyaga, nagpabakuna,” Moreno said.

“Di ba unfair sa kanya ‘yun? Yung taong pumila tapos bibigyan natin ng bonus ‘yung tolongges? Bibigyan pa natin ng bonus ‘yung matigas ang ulo. Maling gobyerno ata ‘yun? Para sa akin ha, ‘yun ang opinyon ko. Mali ang gagawin ng gobyerno kapag hinihikayat ng isang ahensya ng gobyerno na bigyan ng bonus ‘yung matitigas ang ulo. Dapat bigyan ng bonus ‘yung mga masusunurin, ‘yung mga mabubuti,” explained Moreno.

Moreno said that those who are good citizens should be the ones raised on a pedestal and should be given privileges.

“Alam mo maganda yung lip service. Marami kasing nagli-lip service. Basta ako ang focus ko, kumbinsihin kita na bakunahan, kumbinsihin kita maproteksyunan ang sarili mo, kumbinsihin kita maproteksyunan ang pamilya mo, kunbinsihin kita maging isang responsableng indibidwal sa kapwa mo at sa pamayanan mo at sa bansa mo. So, that is my job. Eto ‘yung resulta,” Moreno pointed out.

Moreno again appealed to those who still refuse to get vaccinated to listen to science and reject the misinformation being peddled by anti-vaxxers.

Moreno added that despite the refusal by some individuals to get the jab, the City Government of Manila will not get tired of reaching out to them.

“Ang mabuting mamamayan ay sumusunod sa alituntunin, nagiging responsable sa sarili niya, nagiging responsable sa pamilya niya, nagiging responsable sa komunidad niya, ‘yun ang isang pagiging mabuting mamamayan. At hindi ka makakapamuhay sa mundong ito ng para sa sarili lamang. Kailangan mo makipag-kapwa tao, kailangan mo makiisa, kailangan mo tumugon at kailangan mo umaksyon. So be responsible,” he said.

Moreno maintained that their strategy in Manila is simple: To make vaccinations and booster shots more accessible and readily available to Manileños as well as those coming from the regions outside Metro Manila.

“Wala na sigurong kailangan incentives kasi nakita mo naman yung pila, gusto talaga ng tao. We try to make the vaccine whether first dose, second dose, or booster available kung paano magiging convenient sa tao. May health center, sa eskwelahan, sa malls, sa ospital, sa drive-thru. So, nag-iisip pa kami ng ibang paraan paano mailapit sa tao yung access to vaccines,” Moreno said.

Meanwhile, Moreno said the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is entitled to its own opinion when it commented that the new order from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to bar unvaccinated individuals from public transport effectively restricts the exercise and enjoyment of fundamental rights.

“Well, they are entitled to their opinion, sa kanila ‘yan. Basta ako focus tayo sa tao, iligtas natin ang tao. Kung ano ang lip service nila sa kanila na lang lahat ‘yun. Basta tayo dito magbabakuna, yakapin, abutin hangga’t kaya i-extend yung kamay ng gobyerno. Magbigay ng gamot sa nangangailangan. Yun ang focus, yung politika sa kanila na ‘yun, regalo ko na sa kanila,” Moreno said.

When it comes to the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s directive for local government units, particularly the barangays, to come out with a list of persons who remain unvaccinated, Moreno said they are just waiting for the memo from the DILG.

“We are waiting for the memo but if that is the case, we should follow,” he said.

Moreno also welcomed reports that the Department of Health (DOH) has updated its guidelines on quarantine and isolation periods for vaccinated, partially vaccinated, and unvaccinated persons who are infected or have been close-contact of a Covid-positive individual.

The DOH said the quarantine period for a vaccinated close-contact of a Covid-19 infected person will be shortened from seven days to just five days. But it will still be 14 days for a partially vaccinated or unvaccinated person who is exposed to a sick person.

“If that will come and if scientifically proven that is good. Just imagine, I have a 344-bed capacity Covid hospital for mild cases. We are always waiting for 14-days, 10 days,” Moreno said.

“Kung halimbawa sa bilis ng impeksyon, kailangan laging may pasilidad as much as possible. If that is the case, kung magtutuloy-tuloy ‘yun at talagang ligtas para sa lahat susundin natin kapag ipinatupad then bibilis ang labas at pasok ng pasyente, magagamit natin ng magagamit ang ating pasilidad,” Moreno said.