Robredo nixes 'no COVID-19 vaccine, no 4Ps subsidy' proposal

Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday opposed proposals seeking a “no vaccine, no subsidy” policy for beneficiaries of the government's conditional cash transfer or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

In a media briefing, Robredo explained that what is due to the beneficiaries could not be withheld by the government as the 4Ps Law does not include COVID-19 vaccination as one of the conditions for the cash aid.

“Hindi ako naniniwalang tama ‘yon at di pwedeng i-withhold ’yong nararapat na  nilang matanggap,” Robredo, who is also a presidential aspirant, said.

(I don't believe that it is right. They cannot withhold what is due to the beneficiaries.)

“Pag tiningnan nating ang 4Ps na batas hindi naman kondisyon ang pagbabakuna [sa COVID-19] don… Wala do’n anything about COVID vaccines. So, di puwedeng i-withhold ‘yon based on non-vaccination dito sa COVID,” she added.

(If we look at the law for the 4Ps program, COVID-19 vaccination is not one of the conditions set out by the measure. There's nothing about COVID-19 vaccines that is specified there. So, they cannot withhold the benefits based on the non-vaccination against COVID-19)

Robredo said the conditions under the 4Ps Law only includes continuous education of the beneficiaries’ children, participation in family development seminars, regular check-up of pregnant women, and vaccination of children for other diseases.

She then reiterated her suggestion to incentivize those who were vaccinated against COVID-19.

“Parati kong sina-suggest ‘yung incentivizing, ‘yung pagbibigay ng incentives…pero ‘yung para na sa kanila hindi mo 'yun puwede i-withhold,” she said.

(I always suggest incentivizing those inoculated against COVID-19...but what is due to the 4Ps beneficiaries should not be withheld.)

Robredo said the examples of incentives that may be given to families who got inoculated against the respiratory disease are free gadgets or Christmas gifts, among others.

Over the weekend, an official of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the agency is looking at how it can implement a “no vaccine, no subsidy” policy for 4Ps beneficiaries who are not vaccinated against COVID-19.

But this proposal was immediately opposed by several senators.—AOL, GMA News