PRESIDENT Duterte has rejected the proposed holding of face-to-face classes and placing the entire country under the less restrictive modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).
Supported by Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, the decision showed Duterte’s genuine concern for the health and safety of Filipinos pending the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Go said Duterte described the twin-proposals “as not to the best interest of the country. Magbakuna muna tayo. Cannot in conscience allow these things (MGCQ and face-to-face classes) to happen.”
Like other well-meaning Filipinos, we also share the fear of the hard-hitting Chief Executive from impoverished Mindanao, a former government prosecutor, that “something might get wrong.”
As for the shift to MGCQ, Go said, “This is my personal stand bilang isang senador, habang hindi pa po nauumpisahan ‘yang rollout ng vaccine…huwag muna natin sanang payagan (ito) dahil delikado pa po.”
At the same time, Senator Go, a former Special Assistant to the President (SAP), assured the public that the government, through concerned offices, is closely monitoring the vaccination program.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, on the other hand, said President Duterte recognizes the importance of re-opening the local economy and its impact on the people’s livelihood.
Roque pointed out, however, that the Chief Executive from Davao City “gives higher premium to public health and safety.”
Certainly, the Filipino people, including the businessmen, need to be shocked into realization “na lalong mahirap kung dadami pa ang mga kababayan natin na magkaka-COVID-19 dahil nakamamatay ito.”
Tama nga naman!
