President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during his first SONA at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. (RTVM Screenshot)

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- One of the statements that marked the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday was the end of lockdowns as part of the government's response against the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the President, there must be a balance between the country's economy and the health and welfare of Filipinos.

"In our health situation, the threat of COVID-19 is still there, especially with the discovery of variants of the coronavirus, but we cannot afford another lockdown," President Marcos said.

"We will not do any more lockdown. We must balance the health and welfare of our citizens on one hand and the economy on the other," the Chief Executive added.

President Marcos, who was recently hit by COVID-19, said he wanted to intensify the vaccination rollout of booster shots in the country.

He said this will ensure the safety of students amid the continuation of their face-to-face classes.

The Chief Executive said the COVID-19 Alert Level System would remain for now, while he studies the reclassification of the restrictions, which he said would be more compatible or suited to the current milder strains of the coronavirus.

According to President Marcos, if booster doses can be given to more people, the COVID-19 Alert Level System can be re-calibrated.

Meanwhile, Department of Health (DOH) Officer-In-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, for her part, has also mentioned that the agency may make new classifications by the second week of August. (PIA-NCR)