ILOILO City – The proposed “no vaccination, no subsidy” scheme among beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) has no legal basis, according to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
“Kon gusto gid nila they can amend the law,” said Atty. Jonnie Dabuco, director of CHR in Region 6, in an interview with Panay News.
“Waay dira na-mention sa law nga ang vaccination for COVID-19 is a condition for the release of subsidy,” he said.
For now, the national and local governments can offer coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine incentives to 4Ps beneficiaries, according to Dabuco.
Vaccine information campaign should also be intensified, he said.
While Dabuco said getting free anti-virus shots is a personal choice, the CHR is encouraging the public to get vaccinated.
As of Nov. 9, a total 62,252 4Ps beneficiaries in Western Visayas have been vaccinated against COVID-19, data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD) showed.
Of the figure, 34,939 individuals were fully vaccinated – 11.03 percent of the 316,806 total 4Ps recipients in the region.
The vaccination accomplishment is quite low, according to Belen P. Gebusion, division chief for 4Ps of DWSD-6.
“Very apparent nga may resistance pa sa part sang households,” Gebusion told Panay News.
Others believe they need not be vaccinated because of they are living in far-flung areas, said Gebusion.
But according to Gebusion, the DSWD-6 and the municipal health offices continue to disseminate information with regards to vaccination./PN
