BBM: Let vaccinated ‘UPOR’ go out
FORMER Sen. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. has exhorted the government to allow vaccinated persons to spend time outdoors during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) period, either to earn a living or for health reasons.
“As long as these vaccinated unauthorized persons outside of residence (UPOR) adhere strickly to minimum public health standards, I believe, somehow, they’re of big help in weathering the crisis caused by the corona virus,” said the former senator.
In a television interview, Marcos explained, “Not being allowed to work during lockdowns is disadvantageous to workers, especially those who are on a no work, no pay basis, those who were laid off from their jobs or those who are forced to render shorter periods of work due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, because they would not have the means to pay for their families’ daily expenses.”
“I think basta nabakunahan na, pwede nang magtrabaho. Kahit nasa ECQ, basta nabakunahan, pwede pa din dahil safe na sila. Lalo na ngayon, magbabayad ng matrikulasyon ang mga magulang. Kailangan nilang magtrabaho para makabawi sila doon sa mga expenses. ECQ na nga, siyempre mas malaki ang kanilang ginagastos sa bahay, mas malaki ang binabayad sa kuryente, sa tubig. Mas malaki ang magiging cost nila kung nakakulong sila sa bahay nila. Ngayon, wala ka namang kapalit nun kung di mo payagang magtrabaho,” he stressed.
The former lawmaker, however, said that even vaccinated individuals should still strictly practice the minimum public health standards such as wearing face masks, frequent handwashing and practicing social distancing.
“Pero siyempre, mag-iingat pa din sa ibang tao. May nagsasabi unfair daw ‘yun, bakit ito pwede, bakit ito hindi, bakit namimili? Pero kasi nandiyan ang peligro na magkasakit. Ang primary concern ay hindi kumalat ito. Kasi kung kumalat ito, magla-lockdown na naman, wala na talaga tayong usapan tungkol sa trabaho,” he stressed.
Marcos also cited the need for the government to come up with ways to pump-prime the economy, adding that allowing vaccinated people to go back to work would be one way of achieving this end.
“Kapag may trabaho ang tao, may pera sila sa bulsa. May pambayad sila ng renta, may pambili. ‘Yung pagbabayaran nila, magkaka-pera din. Kahit maliit na halaga, iikot pa din ang ekonomiya,” he noted.
Marcos also strongly urged the government to allow vaccinated UPOR to go outdoor for mental or health reasons.
“May mga nabakunahan na na UPOR, baka pwede rin silang payagang mag-ehersisyo o mag-jogging sa labas ng kanilang tahanan para pampasigla sa kanilang katawan at pangtanggal na rin ng pagka-umay sa loob ng bahay,” explained the former senator.
“Boredom or the state of being weary and restless which normally being developed indoor is one source of anxiety and stress that causes mental and health infirmities… such hazard can be adversed by affording vaccinated UPOR some breathing space,” Marcos stressed.
