The Philippine Senators have expressed alarm over the spike in COVID-19 cases and the move by authorities to lift the ban on travel from 10 countries that have high transmission of infection cases.
Malacañang has decided to lift the travel ban on countries that have a high incidence of Delta variant cases.
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Senators said that it would worsen the situation in the Philippines as most of its population still remains un-vaccinated.
According to Senate President Vicente Sotto III the lifting of the ban on travelers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia must be “reconsidered.”
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Sotto asked: “What is the reason (for lifting the ban)? Is there an agenda?”
Senator Risa Hontiveros hit out at the authorities for the move which comes at a time when the country’s hospitals are full of infected patients.
“They’re like children playing ‘close-open’ with our airports,” said Hontiveros.
Senator Nancy Binay was also alarmed, stressing that the country’s safety procedures and controls are weak.
“The incongruent and discordant policies weaken our barriers against COVID and other more deadly variants, and the biggest chance of the variants entering the country is poor border control,”
Meanwhile, Senator Imee Marcos stated that the country should prepare for a worst-case scenario if it fails to reach herd immunity.
“Herd immunity remains theoretical and has become a moving target. Last year it was 70% of the population, today it’s 90%, but tomorrow it may well be out of range. With booster shots already in high demand, even as first doses have yet to reach populations in less developed countries, will vaccine manufacturers be able to provide?,” said Imee Marcos.
