ACTING Mayor Michael Rama is in favor of implementing in Cebu City the “bakuna bubble,” which gives leeway to vaccinated individuals to enter commercial establishments.
His statement came after the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) opined that the implementation of vaccine bubbles could lead to discrimination against unvaccinated individuals.
The concept of “bakuna bubble” was introduced by Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion, who said that areas in Metro Manila with high vaccination rates can be turned into vaccine bubbles where residents can move freely and enter commercial establishments.
In “bakuna bubbles,” commercial establishments like malls accept both the vaccinated and unvaccinated, but individual shops within malls like restaurants, salons and gyms allow vaccinated individuals to enter if they present a vaccination card. The unvaccinated customers may enter if they can present a negative swab test results.
Rama reminded the CHR that it is the duty of local executives to protect their constituents at all times.
“I am reminding the human rights commission, do you know the law that we have our responsibility,” he said, adding: “Our primary responsibility is to protect our constituents in times of adversity, in times of disaster, likewise in times of health problems and pandemic. The chief executive is equipped with the local government code. He has the responsibility to address a pandemic.”
The Emergency Operations Center has not yet released guidelines for Cebu City’s version of the vaccine bubble.
Meanwhile, the Cebu City Government will make another portal for the listing of city residents who are 12 to 17 years old for their vaccination against Covid-19, after the Department of Health has recommended the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine shots for this age group.
Dr. Jeffrey Ibones of the City Health Department said they will provide another list for this age group in order to separate them from the list of residents who are 18 years and above.
Rama said they will target to inoculate the total population of the 12-17 age group if Cebu City has enough vaccine supplies.
As of Sept. 6, Cebu City had fully vaccinated 135,480 individuals and administered the first dose to 216,854 individuals. (MVE)