(File photo) MANILA - President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has raised the possibility of further lowering the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) alert level status and ordering the "optional" wearing of face mask, if the booster vaccination drive becomes successful. In a virtual speech delivered before newly elected mayors and governors from Malacanang Palace's Rizal Hall on Friday, Marcos said he may further relax the Covid-19 protocols, in case he sees an indication that it is already "safe" to take such step. "'Pagka naging matagumpay ang ating booster rollout ay makikita naman natin siguro puwede na nating ibaba ang mga alert level, puwede na nating gawing optional ang mask (If our booster rollout turns out to be successful, we might downgrade the alert level and make the use of face mask optional)," he told the local officials. "Pero hindi po natin gagawin 'yan hanggang maliwanag na maliwanag na safe na talaga (But we
BEST PROTECTION. 2Lt. Anne Zairell Villabroza, a nurse, administers the Moderna Covid-19 booster shot to Mhontie Mentes at the Philippine Medical Association auditorium in Quezon City on March 10, 2022. The Philippines has achieved its target of fully vaccinating at least 70 million before the end of the Duterte administration. (PNA photo by Ben Briones) MANILA - Within 15 months after the National Vaccination Program was launched, the Philippine government achieved its target of fully vaccinating 70 million Filipinos against Covid-19. In the latest report of the National Vaccination Operations Center as of June 17, a total of 70,005,247 individuals, or 77.78 percent of the target population have completed their primary series. Of the total, 14,704,514 have availed of the first booster shot while 648,555 have the second booster dose. To date, only the elderly, medical front-liners, and immunocompromised adults (with cancer, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndro