Duque says COVID-19 jab must never be required for cash aid

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday opposed the proposal of presidential spokesman Harry Roque to make COVID-19 vaccination a requirement to claim financial aid.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Duque said the proposal is “discriminatory” and is not right. Vaccine has nothing to do with cash aid.

“Hindi naman tama ‘yun… Walang kinalaman doon dapat ‘yung bakuna kasi kung hindi, discriminatory. ‘Yung mga hindi nagpabakuna, hindi mo bibigyan.”

Doque pointed out that they are the same unvaccinated people who bear the brunt of quarantine restrictions.

“Eh papaano, sila rin ‘yung nahihirapan nga dahil sa quarantine." 

Last Tuesday, Roque floated the idea of making COVID-19 vaccination a prerequisite for cash aid to be given to 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) beneficiaries or the poorest Filipinos.

Roque said then, a lot of people are benefitting from that program and if we include vaccines as a condition then we can inoculate more people especially in the vulnerable sector.

In reaction, Senator Risa Hontiveros said the public should not be “bullied” into getting vaccinated. 

As of May 18, The Philippines has vaccinated over two million individuals, but the number is still from its target of inoculating 50 million to 70 million people this year in the hopes of achieving herd immunity. —LBG, GMA News