Mobility for the vaccinated

The Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) has expressed support for the proposed “bakuna bubbles” that will allow greater mobility for fully vaccinated people while protecting the unvaccinated.

FINEX President Francis Lim revealed that pockets of the economy will be allowed to open up and operate at a limited capacity in order to breathe life into the country’s battered economic system. Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion has been the main advocate for the use of these so-called bubbles, which he believes is the safest way to reopen the economy.

According to Concepcion, vaccination in the private sector has already reached 90% due to the business bubbles. Based on their experiences, corporate entities and government agencies such as Republic Gas Corp. (Regasco), South Pacific, Inc. (SPI), and the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) have validated Concepcion’s observation.

In the case of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) companies Regasco and SPI, they have inoculated 70% and 99% of their respective workforces. SPI’s Human Resources Administration Department (HRAD) made this announcement on its social media platforms: “In the face of uncertainty, we have learned valuable lessons. As we continue to battle with the unseen enemies, we are encouraging everyone to get COVID-19 vaccines to protect our loved ones. Herd immunity is our best weapon against the dangers brought by the existing viruses.”

HRAD has also disseminated a series of posters reminding employees and contractual workers that they should make it a habit to wash and sanitize hands regularly; wear face masks and shields; maintain social distancing; accomplish SPI’s daily health checklist; and report any symptoms to HRAD and the Safety Department immediately.

For its part, AFAB disclosed that more than 10,000 workers in the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) are already fully vaccinated while some 6,000 others are waiting for their second dose to be administered at the FABakuna Center in Mariveles, Bataan.

Recently, AFAB launched the COVID Safety-Assured FAB Enterprise (SAFE) Shield to continue encouraging companies in improving their response to the challenges posed by the pandemic. The COVID SAFE Shield will be issued to companies that regularly conduct free monthly testing for workers and have at least 90% fully vaccinated workers at all times. Qualified companies may be allowed to continue their operations even during the declaration of ECQ or MECQ protocols in the freeport zone.

Dr. Noel Bernardo, AFAB’s public health consultant, shared the facts about COVID-19 vaccines and other related topics during the recent FAB Speaks webinar. “We know that vaccination is the most evidence-based and has the highest effectiveness in ending a pandemic. One of my advocacies as a doctor is to encourage people to get vaccinated. I would like vaccinated people to be our partners in encouraging other Filipinos to get vaccinated as well so we can achieve herd immunity,” he said.

During the recent FINEX general membership meeting, Lim made another pitch for mass inoculation: “In order to adapt to this new normal, it is very important that all qualified individuals get vaccinated. Although supply is still an issue, there are still many of our countrymen who resist being vaccinated. Let us help and educate each other in order for us to reach the government’s target to achieve herd immunity. As a citizen of this nation, let us do our share.”

After all, he thinks that allowing the vaccinated to assist in reviving the country’s economy also helps the hard-hit sectors get back on their feet.

INCLUSIVE DISRUPTION
The 53rd annual conference of FINEX will be held via Zoom on Oct. 4-8, 2021 with the theme of “Inclusive Disruption: Achieving A Sustainable Future in the New Frontier.”

Just like in the 2020 edition, there will be 10 virtual sessions spread over five days next week. Featured this year are leaders and experts who will discuss how they direct the disruptions in their respective fields to help push the agenda related to inclusivity, sustainability, and cohesiveness in their respective organizations as well as the ecosystem in which they operate.

Among the confirmed speakers are former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno, Ayala Corp. Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Warburg Pincus Managing Director Saurabh Agarwal, UnionBank CEO Edwin Bautista, Google Philippines Industry Manager Karissa Herrera, Royal Dutch Shell Chief Economist Mallika Ishwaran, BPI CFO Maria Theresa Marcial, IBM Institute for Business Value Director Anthony Marshall, and ADB Vice-President Bambang Susantono.

J. Albert Gamboa is the chief finance officer of Asian Center for Legal Excellence and co-chairman of the FINEX Week Committee. The opinion expressed herein does not necessarily reflect the views of these institutions and BusinessWorld.