THE Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) expressed “strong support” to efforts granting greater mobility to fully vaccinated individuals in the country.
BAP President Jose Arnulfo A. Veloso was quoted in a statement the association issued last Monday as saying that greater mobility for this sector will be one step towards the country’s economic recovery as this is expected to spur activity in various sectors.
Veloso said that with more than 50 percent of the population vaccinated in the metropolitan and adjacent areas where most business activities are situated, “spurring economic activity can be best achieved” if those fully vaccinated are given greater mobility.
According to the National Covid-19 Vaccination Dashboard, 26.33 percent of the national eligible population are already fully vaccinated as of September 26. For the National Capital Region (NCR), 71.86 percent of the eligible adults are already fully vaccinated.
“The mobility of fully vaccinated Filipinos will encourage spending on various goods and services including in tourism, hospitality, and transport industries that are among those hit the hardest by this ongoing Covid-19 pandemic,” Veloso said. “Domestic consumption is a good first step in the road towards the country’s recovery.”
Earlier this month, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) released the results of its latest Consumer Expectations Survey (CES) showing that the availability and rollout of vaccines in the country has led to Filipino consumers’ more optimistic outlook for the Philippine economy in the coming months.
“Our fellow Filipinos protected by the vaccine are key to surpassing this health crisis,” Veloso said.
Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Jose Ma. L. Concepcion Jr. earlier this month said areas in Metro Manila with high vaccination rates can be turned into “bakuna bubbles” where residents can move freely and enter establishments.
Inside these bubbles, he added, unvaccinated residents should be required to present a negative Covid-19 test before entering high-risk establishments such as restaurants, salons and gyms.