The plan of the Hong Kong government to have Filipinos working in the territory vaccinated against COVID-19 must be based on “informed choice” and should never be done under state pressure, Senator Joel Villanueva said.
“Kahit naman dito sa atin, wala pong pilitan pagdating sa bakuna. Pero mariin po nating hinihimok ang lahat na magpabakuna. So, in whatever country, the protocol is to inform before you inject,” Villanueva stressed.
“It should not be made a requisite for work visa renewal.”
“It should not be made a requisite for work visa renewal more so if other foreigners in that country are exempted from mandatory vaccination. It is patently discriminatory,” the veteran legislator added.
But no matter how the vaccination is carried out, “mass education should precede mass vaccination,” the seasoned lawmaker said. “Regardless of the country, its government has to explain the benefits.”
The senator explained that if certain workers are forced to get a COVID-19 jab, then it must be free of charge and should not be solely based on their immigration status.
“There’s a thin line between vaccine democracy and class discrimination.”
“There’s a thin line between vaccine democracy and class discrimination,” he said.
Echoing the government’s stand on the vaccination of OFWs by their host countries, Villanueva said the Philippines is grateful to countries who have given COVID-19 vaccines to Filipino residents for free.
“Mas mabuti pa nga po sa ibang bansa, madaling makakuha ng bakuna ang mga Pilipino. Kahit nga daw po sa Amerika, pwede nang magpaturok ang mga kababayan natin,” he stated.
“Filipinos everywhere are an enlightened lot when it comes to vaccine benefits. You do not have to force them to get jabbed. They will gladly step forward,” Villanueva noted.
“If they will build it, they will come. Pero ‘pag sinabi mo na pwersahan ito at mandatory, mayroong aalma sa proseso. Kahit naman anumang nationality, ganyan po ang magiging reaction,” he concluded.