MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has ascribed the substantial decline in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases to the government’s vaccination drive.
Duterte viewed the apparent drop in Covid-19 infections due to high immunization turnout as “good news” in his recorded Talk to the People delivered on Monday night.
“Dahil sa bakuna, bumaba talaga ang hawaan. So kakaunti ang hawaan kasi kakaunti naman ‘yung tao na hindi nabakunahan. So, ‘yun ang magandang balita (There is a drop in infections because of the vaccine. So, the number of infection rate drops because only a few are unvaccinated. So, that’s the good news),” Duterte said.
Despite the emergence of the more transmissible Delta coronavirus variant, the Philippines has recorded fewer Covid-19 cases in recent days.
On Monday, the country’s new Covid-19 infection cases were only 8,292, the lowest number since August of this year.
Duterte maintained that the only way to defeat Covid-19 is for the majority of Filipinos to be immunized.
He expressed optimism that the country will experience a “better and truly merry Christmas” as a result of the increased immunization program.
“If we continue to ramp up the vaccination of our people, along with our consistent practice of mask — huwag pa rin ninyong tanggalin (do not remove that) — hugas at iwas (wearing of mask, handwashing, and social distancing), and may (with) the gradual resumption of our economic activities, then we can hope for a better and truly merry Christmas,” Duterte said.
He then reaffirmed his request for everyone who are eligible to get vaccinated in order to protect themselves against the coronavirus, which is currently causing a pandemic.
He reiterated his appeal, acknowledging that some Filipinos are still hesitant to obtain the vaccine.
“Kaya iyan na lang ang ipagbilin ko sa’yo na sana sundin ninyo kasi iyan lang talaga ang pampawala ng sakit ng ulo sa bayan natin. Magpabakuna. Alam ko marami pang ayaw eh (Just follow my advice because that will ease our burden. Get vaccinated. I know many still do not want to get inoculated),” Duterte said.
Duterte urged Filipinos to take advantage of the opportunity to get vaccinated against Covid-19, especially now that the country has a sufficient supply of vaccines.
“Meron tayong bakuna. Marami nang dumating (We have enough vaccines. Many vaccines are being delivered to the country),” he said. “We will make use of that so that we can help the country and our fellow human being.”
According to the National Covid-19 Vaccination Dashboard posted on the Department of Health’s official website as of Monday, a total of 50,066,590 coronavirus vaccine doses had been provided nationwide.
Approximately 23,360,489 people have been fully vaccinated, while 26,706,101 individuals receiving the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
According to a survey conducted by Social Weather Stations from June 23 to 26, about 45 percent of Filipinos are now eager to be immunized against Covid-19.
Only 24% are still unsure about obtaining the vaccines, while 21% do not want to be vaccinated.
Based on the survey, 10% of respondents have already been vaccinated, with 7% having received the first dose and 3% having completed two doses.
