MMDA chair Benhur Abalos says “no vaccine, no cash aid under ECQ?” fake news
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos said that the “no vaccine, no cash aid under ECQ” information spreading on areas under enhanced community quarantine is “fake news.”
COVID-19 vaccination has 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.
Pfizer, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Sputnik V are some of the vaccines available in the country.
As of today, more than 9 million people have already been vaccinated based on the data retrieved by “Our World in Data.”
While the country is encouraging people to get vaccinated, false information about vaccination is spreading online and thru other platforms.
This prompted MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos to refute the information that people who are not yet vaccinated against coronavirus will not receive cash aid from the government, particularly those who are under enhanced community quarantine.
According to him, many people panicked and crowded vaccination sites in Metro Manila after receiving such false information.
“Ang sinabi po ba naman na kung wala kang bakuna ay wala kang matatanggap na ayuda. Nag-panic ang mga tao. Nagpuntahan ng umaga sa mga vaccination center. Nagkagulo,” he said.
He added that he received reports on such incidents in Manila, Masinag in Antipolo City, and Las Piñas.
The MMDA chair also gave a warning to perpetrators behind the fake news.
He cited that the National Bureau of Investigation has already launched an investigation and will penalize those who are behind the false information.
Meanwhile, a huge number of people flocked different COVID-19 vaccination sites in Metro Manila, a day before the imposition of a two-week enhanced community quarantine.
According to GMA News, low-income residents under ECQ will P1,000 to P4,000 cash aid from the national government.
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