MANILA – Malacañang stated on Thursday that there is no need yet to oblige Filipinos to get vaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, there is a slight possibility that President Rodrigo Duterte would impose the mandatory vaccination against Covid-19, given that more Filipinos want to obtain the vaccine jabs.
“But right now, because the supply [has] just arrived, let’s see, because I think the level of individuals who want to be vaccinated is already very high so baka hindi pa naman kinakailangan sa ngayon (perhaps, the mandatory vaccination is not yet necessary),” Roque said.
The government’s present goal, Roque stated, is to administer the vaccines to people who are willing to be immunized against the coronavirus.
“Napakarami pong gusto nang mabakunahan. Since nandiyan na po ang supply, eh ubusin muna natin ’yung gusto nating mabakunahan bago natin pagisipan ang batas para maging mandatory po ang pagbabakuna (Many want to get vaccinated. Since there is already a steady supply, let’s use that to those who want to get vaccinated before we consider passing a law on mandatory vaccination),” he said.
In his taped Talk to the People given Monday night, Duterte ascribed the huge decline in Covid-19 infections to the government’s immunization effort.
Duterte also reaffirmed his call for those who are hesitant to get vaccinated against Covid-19 to do so.
A total of 50,966,114 Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered across the country as of Wednesday.
About 23,768,191 people have been fully vaccinated, with another 27,197,923 receiving their first vaccine dose.
When asked how the government plans to persuade more Filipinos to get immunized against Covid-19, Roque said the government will continue to ramp up its communication and information efforts to calm public anxieties.
“Ang government communication ay wala pong tigil ang paghihikayat sa ating mga mamamayan na magpabakuna (Our government communication continues to encourage the public to get vaccinated),” Roque said. “Protektahan natin ang ating mga sarili, ang ating mga mahal sa buhay sa pamamagitan po ng bakuna (Let’s protect ourselves and our loved ones through the vaccine).”
Duterte proposed in September that the government use its police power to compel residents to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.
However, Malacañang, has consistently stated that a law is required to make the Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for Filipinos.
Roque added that any lawmaker who advocates for mandatory coronavirus immunization will be respected by the Palace.
“That’s for Congress to enact, if Congress wishes so,” he said.
Rep. Rida Robes of San Jose del Monte filed House Bill 10249, which requires the administration of Covid-19 vaccines to all Filipinos and residents of the Philippines who are eligible.
