ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. brushed off the “no vaccination, no work” policy in the province.
“Waay sang pilitay sa bakuna,” he stressed.
He is sticking to the provincial government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment and Immunization Plan 2021-2022 (COVAC PLAN 21-22) which identified priority sectors for inoculation.
“Amo na sia ang aton vaccine deployment and immunization program,” Defensor told journalists when asked of his take on the policy being floated by the Iloilo City government.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said a mandatory vaccination of workers could help the city achieve “herd immunity.”
Following a backlash from netizens and various labor groups, however, Treñas clarified he was just “putting the proposal on the table for discussion.”
Based on the COVAC PLAN 21-22 of the provincial government, to be prioritized are healthcare workers such as those in capitol-run health facilities, local government unit contact tracers, barangay workers including members of the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams, barangay nutrition scholars, and barangay tanods, among others.
Defensor, however, clarified he was not neglecting workers in the private sector.
They are Iloilo’s economic drivers and should be prioritized, too, he stressed.
But he said he won’t force the Ilonggos to get vaccinated if they don’t want to.
Defensor also noted there were companies that volunteered to fund the vaccination of their employees.
The provincial government will conduct a massive information and education campaign to boost public confidence on the COVID-19 vaccines.
“Importante ang education para indi na kita magpilit sa mga tawo. Ipa-intindi naton ang kaayuhan sang bakuna,” Defensor said.
In early December, the province ordered 270,000 doses of AZD1222 Vaccine from British pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca. An initial budget of P95 million was allotted.
The doses could vaccinate more or less 135,000 frontliners in the province.
The vaccines’ expected arrival is by the second or third quarter of the year.
Aside from frontline health workers, included in the priority list were the following:
* indigent senior citizens
* remaining senior citizens
* remaining indigent population
* uniformed personnel
* all government workers
* teachers and school workers
* students
* essential workers
* socio-demographic groups at significant higher risk other than senior citizens
* indigent population (e.g. persons deprived of liberty, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples and Filipinos living in high-density areas)
* overseas Filipinos workers
* other remaining workforce
* remaining citizens/PN
