Senator Francis Tolentino on Sunday said booster shots should be incentivized for Filipinos and local government units (LGU) to encourage more members of the eligible population to take them.
"Siguro gamitin na lang po 'yung natitirang bakunang pang-booster para ma-incentivize 'yung mga LGUs," he told DZRH in an interview. "'Yung pinakamaraming booster na nagamit siguro karagdagang tulong ng pamahalaang national."
(Maybe we can use the remaining booster shots to incentivize the LGUs. Those with the most boosters used can get additional help from the national government.)
He also suggested reducing real estate tax to those who are getting the booster shots.
"Siguro 'yung magpapa-booster ay bigyan siguro ng kahit one percent na tax deduction," the senator said.
(We can also perhaps grant one percent tax deduction on those getting booster shots.)
Tolentino also suggested using the remaining vaccine shots for arriving tourists to the country who remain unvaccinated or partially vaccinated against COVID-19.
"Nag-usap kami ni [Secretary Francisco Duque] noong isang araw. Ang sabi ko, lahat ng pumapasok na dayuhan na hindi pa bakunado, kulang pa 'yung shots. Pag-landing pa lang sa NAIA, ay turukan na," he said.
(Secretary Duque and I talked the other day. I told him that unvaccinated or partially vaccinated foreigners entering the country should be given the jabs once they land in NAIA.)
"Pag-depart, kulang pa ng isang shot, turukan din. Dahil hindi naman … isang linggo lang 'yan dito," he added.
(If they leave and they still need one shot, we can give them. Because they will not be staying here in just a single week.)
"Gamitin na natin 'yung bakuna kasi mage-expire na po ito … so gamitin na lahat 'yan."
(Let us use the vaccines because they are about to expire … so let’s use all of them.)
The senator stressed that he supports the reopening of the local economy, especially on carrying out face-to-face classes, graduation, and oath-taking for those who missed theirs over the past years due to the pandemic.
