ILOILO – The local government of the municipality of Calinog has prohibited its residents from taking part in clinical trials for vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Reports reached the local government that some residents joined clinical trials for Wantai, WestVac and other coronavirus vaccines being developed without proper coordination with it.
According to Mayor Francisco Calvo, Calinog had not received any advisory from any government agency about the clinical trials.
He heard that each participant was promised between P2,500 to P5,000; that at night they were hauled to hospitals in Iloilo City for swabbing then released on their own to go home.
“Allegedly, those monitored by swab tests are just sent home to commute which is a violation of the protocols on swab testing,” according to Calvo.
The mayor also said some of those who participated in the trials became positive for COVID-19.
“Waay man ti nagakaigo nga pagtatap halin sa nagapatigayon ka amu nga test,” he lamented.
“If any of our residents does participate, becomes positive of COVID-19, and becomes the reason for infecting others, the LGU may hold accountable said individual…for violations of protocols. And the institution that conducted the trial will be held responsible, too,” according to Calvo.
From what the local government had gathered since December 2021, around 30 residents from barangays Tabucan, Carvasana, Lojoy, Cabugao, Baldna Pequeño, Banban Grande, Ipil, and Poblacion Delgado joined clinical trials held in the municipality of Leganes./PN
