Former Vice President and senatorial aspirant Jejomar Binay slammed the national government's plan to withhold cash pay outs to marginalized citizens who are hesitating to get themselves vaccinated against COVID-19.

"Vaccine hesitancy has been declining, as shown by the latest survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS). Dumarami na ang gustong magpabakuna (A lot of people now wants to get vaccinated)," Binay said on Sunday.

He said that the people need to be convinced to get inoculated and not punished by not giving those who do not want to get vaccinated their 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) benefits.

"Ang mga recipient ng 4Ps ay galing sa poorest of the poor. Sa panahon ng pandemya, 4Ps ang nagiging pantawid sa buhay ng mahihirap nating kababayan. Huwag na sana silang pahirapan pa (Those who receive 4Ps come from the poorest of the poor and in this time of the pandemic, it has become their lifeline. Let's not punish them more)," Binay said.

"Vaccine hesitancy is not confined to the poor. It cuts across all economic classes. If government were to punish the poor and not take similar measures on the rich and middle class who are hesitant to be vaccinated, government may be accused of being discriminatory, anti-poor, and un-Christian," he added.

The former vice president explained that the national government may be losing its focus to revitalize the economy, which is the immediate goal of the vaccination.

He said that to achieve this, more workers and economic frontliners must me vaccinated first, especially those who contribute to the economy and need to return to work.

"Instead of withholding 4Ps, government should consider giving incentives. This is what many local governments have been doing, and they have been successful. Again, the national government can learn more from the local governments," Binay said.

"In times like these, especially when the pandemic has hit the poor the hardest, let us try to be more compassionate," he added.