The government may consider a proposal in Congress to make vaccination against COVID-19 mandatory when there is an adequate supply.
According to Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, the proposal should be considered if there is a vaccine.
Roque admitted that it is unclear to force the people to get vaccinated because there is not enough supply.
“Hindi pa po tayo dumarating sa puntong iyon, kasi hindi naman sapat ang ating bakuna, bakit tayo mag-iisip na gawing mandatory. Eh sa ngayon sapat-sapat lang iyong ating bakuna para doon sa mga gustong magpabakuna,” said Roque.
(We have not reached that point yet, because our vaccine is not enough, why should we think of making it mandatory. So far, our vaccine is just enough for those who want to get vaccinated.)
Roque also admitted that the expected vaccines did not arrive this April but said the government will get them by May.
It is expected that 4M-6M doses of the vaccine will be available in the country in May.
Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination possible if supply is adequate: Palace
He said it will only be discussed later on whether COVID-19 vaccination will be made mandatory when 20 million doses per month arrive in the country.
For the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), the obligation to vaccinate is not a problem, because the problem is that the vaccine is still lacking.
“We feel it might even be unconstitutional. There will be legal challenge. So I don’t even think it would prosper,” said ECOP president Sergio Ortiz-Luis.
“Nagkakagulo nga ang mga tao dahil hindi sila ma-prioritize eh, gusto nga nila mauna sila eh, meron pa rin ‘yung hindi pero hindi mo naman puwedeng pilitin ‘yung ayaw,” he added.
Cavite 4th District Rep. Elpidio Barzaga proposes to amend Republic Act 11525 or the COVID-19 vaccination program Act of 2021 through House Bill No. 9252.
In section 3 of the measure, COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for people to be identified by the Department of Health, and will be provided free of charge at any government hospital or health center.
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