Hontiveros: “Hindi dapat binubully ang publiko para magpabakuna.”
Senator Risa Hontiveros opposed the proposal of presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to obligate 4Ps beneficiaries to get vaccinated against COVID-19 before receiving their assistance.
“Hindi dapat binubully ang publiko para magpabakuna. Kaunting galang at respeto naman sa mga mahihirap. Walang kondisyon sa 4Ps law na kailangan vaccinated ang recipient,” she said.
The senator explained that the government should only provide assistance to the poor and not such condition.
“Hindi dapat ginagawang suhol ang mga bakunang dapat naman talaga ay libre at pangmalawakan. Hindi dapat pinagbabantaan ang madla,” Hontiveros said.
“Imbis na pananakot, incentives ang dapat na ialok sa publiko para sila ay magpapabakuna. Tulad halimbawa ng grocery pack o kaya naman ay paid vacation leave,” Hontiveros added.
Roque had earlier suggested to President Rodrigo Duterte the possibility of making COVID-19 vaccination a “pre-requisite” for 4Ps beneficiaries before receiving cash aid.
“Ang daming nakikinabang sa programa na ‘yan at kapag naisama sa condition na ‘yan ay maraming mababakunahan lalong lalo na sa hanay ng mga mahihirap,” Roque said.
COVID-19 vaccination has been rolled out across the country to combat the rapid increase of COVID-19.
Among those who were on the priority list of the COVID-19 vaccination program are medical frontliners, persons with comorbidities, and senior citizens.
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