The Taguig City government is supporting the investigation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) into the alleged sale of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination slots or schedules that has been reported in Mandaluyong and San Juan.
“The Taguig City government strongly condemns the COVID-19 vaccination-for-a-fee in some areas in Metro Manila. It supports a probe into what the Philippine National Police has said were ‘under-the-table’ transactions,” said Taguig’s Vaccine Task Force.
The National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 had earlier said it “is deeply concerned with reports it has received regarding the illicit selling of anti-COVID vaccines. We are investigating this matter.”
“We would like to remind everyone that anti-COVID vaccines are free for all qualified citizens. They are not for sale. Thus, the selling of vaccines or of the priority slots is deemed illegal and punishable by law,” it added.
According to the Taguig task force, “The city government reiterates every Filipino's right to be inoculated for protection against the dreaded virus that has led to the loss of many lives in the country.”
“This is why the Taguig government continues with its round-the-clock free vaccination program for Taguigeños while strictly following the priority list set by the national government,” it added.
As of May 23, Taguig has vaccinated 68,719 residents in the A1 (health workers), A2 (senior citizens) and A3 (persons with comorbidities) priority groups, or 10.57 percent of the total target population of 650,000.
The city government said it can administer 4,000 to 5,000 vaccinations per day and aims to finish vaccinating all eligible residents by December this year.
“The local government also strictly follows the rules on A2 and A3 guidelines— Senior Citizen, Person with comorbidities, and must have a residence in Taguig City. We urge the public to report anyone who charges a fee for vaccine shots or slots to the Taguig Vaccination Hotlines at 09617044001 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.,” it said.
It added, “These are heartless individuals, plain and simple. The Taguig City Vaccine Task Force will file charges against anyone who solicits money or any favors for registration or scheduling. They will be prosecuted and will face the full wrath of the law.”