The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday rejected the proposal urging the government to require booster cards for businesses.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez told DZRH that he personally opposes the proposal to make booster shots a requirement before giving customers access to a certain service or establishment.
"Para sa akin, hindi pa dapat ito," he said in an interview.
(For me, it should not be implemented yet.)
"Kung booster ang pag-uusapan at ni-require mo 'yan kaagad, hindi pwedeng mandatory. Number 1, sa batas. Pangalawa ay makakapangpahina ito ng negosyo. Imagine-in mo, mababawasan ng mga customer 'yung mga negosyo," he added.
(When we talk about booster shots, it should not be mandatory. Number 1, because of the law. Second, it will weaken businesses. Imagine this would reduce the number of customers in businesses.)
According to the DTI secretary, booster shots should be incentivized instead of being required in order to encourage people to take them.
This means discounts or promos for participating establishments once a customer presented proof that they received their booster shots against COVID-19.
"Kasi remember ang definition naman talaga ng fully vaccinated ay 'yung dalawang dose at since understandably, marami na rin ang may dalawang dose, para ma-encourage yung booster, siguro 'yun incentive rather than requirement."
(Because remember the definition of fully vaccinated is having two doses. And since understandably, a lot of people already got two doses, to encourage the booster, perhaps make it an incentive instead of a requirement.)
"Kasi kapag ginawa mong requirement agad makakabagal yan. Ngayon pa lang nakakaahon 'yung mga negosyo, so babagal yan sa pagbabalik ng negosyo at mga costumers," he added.
(Because when you make it a requirement it will slow things down. Businesses are just starting to recover, and it will slow down the recovery of businesses and return of customers.)
He made the remarks after Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion urged the government to make COVID-19 booster cards a requirement for entry for indoor establishments starting June.
This proposal seeks to improve the turnout for people getting booster shots against COVID-19, which the government previously admitted is slowing down.
The Department of Health said 12.1 million people have received their booster shots against COVID-19 as of April 3.
