CONCEPCION: CEBU’S “BAKUNA BUBBLE,” PROOF THAT JUMPSTARTING THE ECONOMY IS NEEDED NOW!

In a meeting organized by Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion, Cebu City Acting Mayor Michael Rama shared the details of the implementation of Executive Order (EO) 138, highlighting the importance and focus of vaccinating essential workers together with granting vaccinated individuals access to various establishments, such as dine-in services in restaurants, salons, and other personal care services. The said EO speaks of the city’s initiative to protect not only the lives but the livelihood of their constituents.

During the discussion, Concepcion said that the bakuna bubble that is being in force in Cebu City proves that opening the economy is needed urgently. “It is good to see Cebu City open its own economy to those who are already protected with vaccines. This is a good signal for other local government units to also follow the said measure,” Concepcion said.

“Other cities and municipalities can also follow this model,” he added.

Recently, Concepcion proposed to only allow vaccinated individuals to enter a wide array of establishments in Metro Manila, since they are less susceptible to risks associated with COVID-19 infections.

“We have to use the vaccinated to drive the economy. We have to re-open the economy and do away with endless reimposition of lockdowns. With that calculated risk, it is very clear that we can move forward at the very least. We have to stand up in this pandemic and the damage from the Delta variant,” Concepcion stressed.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Acting Mayor Michael Rama shared that the implementation of the said policy in their locality is a move to support both the health and economy of Cebu City.

“This is a paradigm shift. We want to move heaven and earth to have these people get vaccinated. This is our way to do so and protect my constituents,” Rama said.

He also shared that the said policy being implemented in Cebu City is also a call for other cities and municipalities across the country to replicate the said measure. “We actually want others to replicate our policy for everyone’s benefit,” Rama explained.

On the other hand, Concepcion shared to Rama the current situation of our hospitals in Metro Manila. “Most of those who are being hospitalized are the unvaccinated. We cannot just simply wait for them to pile up in our hospitals,” he shared.

Rama then gave an update of the current situation of hospitals in their locality. “The situation is the same for us. That is why we are implementing this. We also want to protect them. We have to realize that the ‘general welfare of the people is the supreme law,” he shared.

This supports Concepcion’s recent statement on implementing his proposal to restrict mobility of the unvaccinated if this will contribute to the attainment of ‘common good.’ “We have to err on the side of caution. This is not a discrimination issue, but a health issue. That’s what we all have to realize. We have to protect the unvaccinated, while also considering the economy. This is the best way forward,” Concepcion ended.

It was also mentioned in the said discussion that those included in the health and wellness sector, such as gyms, will soon be integrated in the implementation.

Also present in the said discussion of Concepcion and Rama are various stakeholders from Cebu and industry sectors such as the restaurant, salon, health and wellness, and retail. The said measure being implemented in Cebu is a proof of collective call and collaboration of different sectors in the society.