"There are still people who disgracefully take undue advantage of the governmentís anti-COVID-19 efforts."
With the entry and spread of the Delta variant in different parts of the country, the entire government is united in persuading the public to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The vaccine is our best weapon so far against this disease. This underscores the role of the Department of Health and the local government units as the implementing agencies of the national vaccination program.
Sadly, however, as the country grapples to contain COVID-19 transmission and promote vaccination, there are still people who disgracefully take undue advantage of the government’s anti-COVID-19 efforts. We are all aware of the coming 2022 elections. In less than a year, we will be holding our elections anew. However, this does not give reason nor justice to involve these crucial COVID-19 measures in early campaigning.
Using the vaccination program of the national government to boost election prospects is, without doubt, gravely deplorable. The local government units of each province, city, and municipality, by virtue of its Executive functions, have been exerting their utmost efforts to conduct an organized and reliable vaccination program under the guidance of the Department of Health. We have often been reminded by the President himself to ensure the safety of our constituents and vaccinate as many of our population as possible. When people take advantage of this program to push for their personal and political interests, it greatly undermines the Executive’s mandate and power to implement the program.
Hence, I call on the Department of Health, as head of the IATF and the main implementing agency of the COVID-19 vaccination, to boost its support to LGUs and strengthen its supervision in the vaccination. Moreover, I ask our local government units to calibrate our focus on the goal—to control the spread of COVID-19 through mass vaccinations. We are all called to serve the public and implement the government’s programs in accordance with the law, public morals, and public policy.
Hence, at this time of crisis, politicizing these government initiatives is highly frowned upon. We should all work together, setting aside any political differences or interest.
I understand that the coming elections are crucial for both the public and the candidates. However, let me remind everyone that we are still in a pandemic, in a crisis where our health and safety are constantly threatened, where many Filipinos struggle to survive day-to-day to have food on their tables. Political ambitions and interests should come last. There is a time for campaign, but do not involve the COVID-19 efforts for personal or political gain. There is no gain when the lives of the people are at stake.