NVOC asks companies to excuse workers in extended vaccination drive

The National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) on Thursday called on companies to excuse employees who will be participating in the extended national vaccination drive against COVID-19.

At the Laging Handa briefing, NVOC chairperson Myrna Cabotaje said employees are no longer excused from work as President Rodrigo Duterte only proclaimed November 29 to December 1 as the Bayanihan, Bakunahan National COVID-19 Vaccination Days.

Under Proclamation 1253, public and private sector employees may get vaccinated during these days without being marked absent from work, provided they present proof of getting vaccinated during these days.

“Tatlong araw lang ang prinoclaim ni President so it will be management prerogative. Ang pakiusap lang natin sa ating mga managers, sa mga heads ng companies, if they can extend the same courtesy,” Cabotaje said.

(The President only proclaimed three days so it will be management prerogative. We call on managers and company heads to extend the same courtesy.)

The government has extended the November 29 to December 1 vaccination drive until Friday, December 3 in order to sustain the public's enthusiasm to get vaccinated.

Based on the initial report, the Philippines vaccinated 7.6 million individuals during the three-day drive, close to the adjusted 9 million target of the government. — RSJ, GMA News