On November 23, during his pre-recorded address, President Rodrigo Duterte said that “everyone” must be vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Kailangan talaga lahat mabakunahan. Ang mga ayaw, they should not be allowed inside public restaurants or resorts because they are a threat to public health and the safety of the general public,” he said.
On November 24, President Rodrigo Duterte just signed Proclamation No. 1253 declaring the dates November 29 to December 1, 2021 as National COVID-19 Vaccination Days. All employees, both in the government and the private sector, could get themselves vaccinated on November 29 – December 1, 2021. Should they be taking their jabs on these dates, they will not be considered absent from work.
Eventhough the Philippines is currently at a low risk of COVID-19, the Department of Health’s COVID-19 projections has shown that active cases could spike to two to three times higher by the end of the year.
Hence, may we all be reminded of the importance of getting ourselves vaccinated to protect ourselves and our loved ones.