President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said the country's economy can no longer afford to implement another lockdown due to COVID-19.
"Wala na tayong gagawin lockdown [We will no longer have a lockdown]," Marcos said during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 25.
The Chief Executive, who has yet to name his Health Secretary, said the national government is currently working with hospitals across the country to monitor their hospitalization rate following the emergence of COVID-19 subvariants.
"Babalansehin natin ang kalusugan at kapakanan ng ating kababayan sa kabilang banda, at ekonomiya naman sa isang banda," he stated.
[We will balance the health system, the welfare of the nation, and the economy at the same time.]
Likewise, Marcos also encouraged Filipinos to get their booster shots against COVID-19.
"Sa ganitong paraan, kahit muling tumaas ang mga kaso, mananatiling mababa ang bilang ng mga maoospital at mamamatay," he said. "Unti-unti rin tayong masasanay na nandiyan ang virus pero hindi na ito magiging banta sa atin."
The Department of Health (DOH) and the national government are set to kick off "Pinas Lakas" on Tuesday, July 26, a major campaign to urge the public to get COVID-19 booster shots amid the increase in COVID-19 cases for weeks.
Marcos will be taking the lead in the said program, according to Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire.
