A credible and massive information campaign about the national government’s coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines is the best antidote to the vaccine hesitancy of most Filipinos, Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Tuesday.

Hontiveros issued the reminder as she thumbed down President Duterte’s threat to arrest individuals who refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19k.

“There’s no need to threaten the people if the government has sufficient and ample supply of safe and efficient vaccines that are suitable to their conditions; credible health information and education in the community and an efficient vaccination system,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

Instead of allaying the fears of the people, she said Duterte’s pronouncement only added to the stress and anxiety of many individuals regarding the efficacy of the vaccines.

“Instead of answering and responding to their questions and needs, and instead of convincing them on the importance of getting inoculated for their own safety, he still ended up making new threats,” the senator lamented.

The lawmaker added that the Duterte government has enough resources to launch a massive campaign that can strengthen the confidence of the people on the COVID-19 vaccines, but its programs to combat the pandemic has been lackluster.

“We’re past one year under a state of national emergency. The administration has the resources to increase and strengthen the confidence of the people to be able to roll out a safe and effective vacciantion campaign. Yet they cannot do this,” she pointed out.

“The government also ought to remove the stumbling blocks needed to conduct day-to-day vaccination activities,” she stressed.

Duterte, in his speech Monday night, threatened to put to jail people who refuse to be vaccinated following reports of low vaccine turnout in several vaccination sites in Metro Manila.

“You choose, vaccine or I will have you jailed,” Duterte said in a televised address. According to the President, he is exasperated by Filipinos refusing to heed the government’s call.