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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider LGUs urged to pass ordinances to penalize sale of vaccination slots

LGUs urged to pass ordinances to penalize sale of vaccination slots

Published May 25, 2021 04:24 pm

Local government units should consider crafting ordinances penalizing the sale of coronavirus vaccines and vaccination slots in their communities, Malacañang said Tuesday.

A senior citizen receive the second dose of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine while other people wait for their turn at a vaccination site in Sampaloc, Manila on May 25, 2021.(Ali Vicoy/Manila Bulletin)

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the proposal after insisting that coronavirus vaccines should be given for free to the people to boost their protection against the coronavirus.

"Ang panawagan nga po namin sa mga lokal na pamahalaan ay kung pupuwede po magpasa rin sila ng ordinansa na nagpapataw ng parusa doon sa magbebenta ng slots, para malinaw po na mayroon tayong legal na basehan para parusahan ang mga taong gumagawa nito (Our appeal to our local government units is, if possible, to pass an ordinance imposing penalties to those selling vaccine slots so we will have legal basis to punish the perpetrators)," Roque said during a televised press briefing Tuesday, May 25.

At present, Roque said people selling vaccination slots could be slapped with charges of fraud or swindling as well as violations of the country's Food and Drug Administration law.

The Palace earlier denounced reports of the alleged sale of vaccines and vaccination slots in the government's inoculation drive in some parts of Metro Manila.

Roque insisted that the selling COVID-19 vaccines contradicted the government's policy to ensure fair distribution of the vaccines as the country battles the pandemic. So far, he said the police have yet to apprehend any person involved in such activity.

"Ang babala po natin ay hindi po natin papayagan iyan, dahil that goes against iyong prinsipyo na ang ating policy for vaccination na kinakailangan equitable (Our warning is we will not tolerate this because that goes against the principle of our policy for equitable vaccination)," he said.

"Kapag ikaw po ay bumili ng slot, ibig sabihin iyong mga may pera ang mauuna at mapapahamak po pati iyong ating obligasyon sa COVAX facility na dapat on the basis of equitable distribution ang ating pagbabakuna (If you buy a slot, it means those who can afford will get ahead of the line and harm our obligation with COVAX facility that the vaccination should be based on equitable distribution)," he said.

Related Tags

Harry Roque Local Government Units vaccines ordinance Coronavirus disease legal basis swindling penalties for sale vaccination slot
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