Concepcion: Limiting mobility of the unvaccinated justified if for ‘common good’

Eminent Filipino economist Bernardo Villegas said that being vaccinated is a contribution to the common good, and that those who say that enforcing vaccinations are violating human rights are themselves violating the constitution.

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion said during yesterday’s virtual presser entitled, “Bakuna Bubble: An Alternative to Lockdown,” that the mobility of the unvaccinated can be limited, and it is justified if done for the common good. This was his stance as he garnered support from the country’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and top business group leaders for his proposal to allow only fully-vaccinated individuals to drive the economy in the National Capital Region (NCR).

“Restricting full mobility of the unvaccinated is the price to pay, but this is not permanent since things can change when we get better. In any angle, this is justified since this simply aims to benefit the common good,” he added.

This was supported by leading economist Prof. Bernie Villegas, who is also one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution, and said that “restricting a group of people is justified if it will benefit all.”

According to Concepcion, jumpstarting the economy in the nation’s capital, Metro Manila, can be made safely by only allowing those fully vaccinated to enter various business establishments. “My role with the President is to help MSMEs grow during his term. Unfortunately, pandemic hit us hard. The biggest challenge is to bring about confidence. Now the question is how to bring this back,” Concepcion stressed.

According to him, the better measure to implement is to learn how to live side-by-side the virus.

“How do we really coexist with the more treacherous variant, the Delta variant? This idea of bakuna bubble, by allowing mobility of the fully vaccinated in NCR, will help us achieve this,” Concepcion said.

Meanwhile, Ayala Malls President Chris Maglanoc expressed his support to Concepcion’s idea of Bakuna Bubble, and said that malls have sufficiently adhered to health and safety protocols to deal with the pandemic.

“Malls have sufficient protocols to follow which is why the concept of the Bakuna Bubble will not be difficult,” Maglanoc explained.

After which, Resto PH President Eric Teng stressed that Concepcion’s proposal will heavily come in aid for the survival of food and beverage sector.

“Being one of the badly-hit sectors especially because of lockdowns, wherein most dine-in services are disallowed, bakuna bubble for restaurants will definitely help us,” he shared.

Also, McDonald’s Philippines Managing Director Margot Torres said that the concept of bakuna bubble, by only allowing the mobility of fully vaccinated, is viable because of the protection brought by vaccines, hence there are less things to worry.

“We welcome that only fully vaccinated will enter our doors. This is not favoring the vaccinated but protecting the unvaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are like a ‘seatbelt,’ and they are protection from any form of ‘accident,’ like the virus,” she added.

IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (ITBPAP) President Rey Untal shared that the IT-BPO sector is willing to help the country through vaccination of their employees.

“We are very much eager to help in accelerating the opening of the economy through accelerated vaccination efforts to attain bakuna bubble,” he said.

On the other hand, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI) President Dan Lachica said that they are very much expectant of the possible developments in the vaccination rollouts across the country. “There are two things we are pushing for, to see accelerating vaccinations in LGU, and authorization of vaccines to be brought directly,” he said.

Also, Wilcon Depot, Inc. EVP and COO Rosemarie Ong shared that it is still inevitable to go out given the complexities of checking various products, hence the importance of vaccination and allowing the mobility of the vaccinated.

“For retails, there are two channels to avail [a product], and there are limitations of course when it comes to online selling because consumers cannot see a product that sometimes need to be physically seen,” she shared.

On the transport side, Victory Liner, Inc. President and General Manager Marivic Del Pilar said: “There has to be uniform rules for the transportation sector to be able to complement this bubble.” She also added “We can not eliminate risks, but there are many ways to minimize them.”

Meanwhile, Salon owner and Philippine Franchise Association Regional Director Federico Moreno said that there is less to worry in the salon industry since most of them are already through with vaccination. “There is nothing to worry in reopening their industry since most of them are already fully vaccinated,” he said.

Similarly, Anytime Fitness COO Ryan Cheal said that they also have their employees vaccinated and were able to comply with the protocols. “Most of their employees in the gym industry are vaccinated and safe to interact with,” Cheal said.

In the end, Concepcion stressed the role of the entrepreneurs in taking a look at a certain situation in a different light.

“As entrepreneurs, we have to look for the totality and take a look at how to strike a proper balance. This is the best way forward,” Concepcion ended.