Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 22)— A lawmaker at the House of Representatives has filed a bill seeking to require COVID-19 vaccination for eligible Filipinos.
House Bill No. 10249 filed by San Jose Del Monte City Rep. Rida Robes also proposed penalties for those who refuse to get inoculated — imprisonment of up to 30 days and/or a fine of ₱10,000.
Exempted from its provisions are those “with conflicting religious belief or with medical condition that would make vaccination detrimental to his/her health as certified by a duly licensed physician,” according to the bill, a copy of which was released to the media on Wednesday.
“In the face of the worldwide pandemic that is ravaging our country, it is crucial to implement a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination program for people who are eligible to get the vaccines in order to protect ourselves and our families,” it further read.
The bill added that all vaccination expenses shall be fully subsidized by the government.
Last week, the Davao City government also issued an executive order requiring all its personnel to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.
But Dr. Rontgene Solante, a member of the Vaccine Expert Panel, raised concerns over the legality of mandatory vaccination. He added the national government should ensure a stable vaccine supply in the country first before implementing such rule.
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