NextGen Day

The Metro Manila Council has agreed to tighten restrictions on the migration of people who have not yet been vaccinated against Covid-19 in the National Capital Region (NCR) (MMC).

MMDA Chair Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. stated in a virtual press conference on Monday that MMDA Resolution No. 22-01, series of 2022, asks local government units (LGUs) to pass legislation for “increased limitation” on unvaccinated individuals.

The MMC — made up of the 17 mayors of the NCR and the MMDA — agreed “in principle” to the resolution in a meeting attended by members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, according to Abalos (IATF).

“Ito ay pinakita namin sa mga meeting namin kahapon sa mga alkalde ng Metro Manila [Jan. 2, 2022].” In theory, nagbotohan kami rito, subject to form and style, at ito ay inaprubahan nila (This was given to Metro Manila mayors yesterday. We have voted in principle, and it has already been accepted (subject to form and style),” Abalos stated.

The resolution urged LGUs to require unvaccinated individuals to remain in their homes at all times, except for the procurement of essential goods and services such as food, water, medical services, public utilities, and work, due to the rising cases of Covid-19 and the threat of the Omicron variant.

Until January 15, the NCR is under the harsher Alert Level 3 status.

“Parang nag-ECQ [Enhanced Community Quarantine], but just for those who haven’t been vaccinated.” For the sake of their own safety. (It’s like having an ECQ, but just for those who haven’t been vaccinated.) It is for their own safety. They should stay at home),” stated Abalos.

Individual outdoor exercise is still permitted in “the general area of their domicile, e. g., inside the barangay, purok, subdivision, or village subject to the guidelines of the Metro Manila local government entities,” regardless of vaccination status, age, or comorbidities.

Furthermore, unvaccinated people are barred from dining in restaurants and other food enterprises both inside and outdoors/al fresco, as well as “leisure and social outings to malls, hotels, event sites, sports, and country clubs, and similar facilities.”

They are also forbidden from using public transit “by land, sea, and air” unless they are purchasing vital goods and services.

The unvaccinated must undergo a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test every two weeks at their own expense and produce a Covid-19 negative result before being admitted to work onsite, as indicated in an earlier IATF resolution.

The resolution said, “In the event that the RT-PCR test and/or result is/are not immediately accessible, a Rapid Antigen Test may be used in lieu thereof.”

Individuals who live outside of the NCR but work and/or travel in the region are also covered by the resolution.

The limits are part of the government’s effort to “forestall and immediately address” the impact of growing Covid-19 cases and the highly transmissible Omicron form, according to the statement.

“The significant advancements in public health and economic gains achieved under Alert Level 2 must be continued, and precautionary actions must be implemented,” the resolution stated.

It stated that it is “the objective of the State to preserve and promote the right to health of the people and develop health consciousness among them,” citing Republic Act 11332, or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Disease and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.

Any person or entity found in violation of this resolution may be prosecuted and face fines and penalties under Republic Act 11332, which include a fine of not less than PHP20,000 but not more than PHP50,000, as well as imprisonment for not less than one month but not more than six months, depending on the proper court’s discretion.

“Furthermore, under Section 12 of Republic Act 11525 or the Covid-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021, any individual or establishment who or which would fake the Covid-19 vaccine card shall be penalized under Act 3815 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended,” the resolution said.

These restrictions, according to Abalos, are just “temporary” and will be abolished once the Covid-19 alert level in NCR drops to Alert Level 2 or lower.

“It’y a one-time lamang.” Ito’y nasa Alert Level 3 tayo o mas mataas para maproteksyunan ng mga walang bakuna. Sana maunawaan ng lahat ito (This is just a temporary situation.) Only when Alert Level 3 or higher is in effect to safeguard people who have not been vaccinated. Abalos replied, “I think everyone understands).”

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