SA halip na mistulang makaranas ng diskriminasyon partikular sa isinusulong na tripartite vaccine procurement program, ibayong papuri at pasasalamat ang dapat umanong tanggapin ng iba’t ibang pribadong kumpanya dahil sa malaking tulong ang mga ito partikular sa panahong nararanasan ng bansa ang COVID-19 pandemic.

Ito ang binigyan-diin ni Deputy Speaker at Valenzuela City Rep. Wes Gatchalian kasabay ng kanyang panawagan na ikonsidera o bawiin ang lumutang na draft order na nagbabawal sa ‘sin product’ manufacturers o gumagawa ng mga alak, sigarilyo, sweetened beverages, gayundin ang formula milk na maging bahagi ng private-government purchase agreement ng COVID-19 vaccines.

“While we recognize that these companies manufacture products that may cause potential health risks to the public, this should not be cause for them not to be able to take care of their employees.

We should be thanking them for their initiative to protect their employees from COVID-19 instead of discriminating against them,” ayon sa high ranking House official.

“While it is imperative that we should support public health policies, there must be a balanced approach to promote the general welfare when public necessity requires. This is not a time for discrimination. These companies are legitimate industries that provide livelihood and employment to millions of Filipinos and fulfills a large economic contribution to the country in taxes and revenue,” dagdag pa ng Valenzuela City lawmaker.

Umaasa naman si Gatchalian na hìndi magpapaapekto ang mga pribadong kumpanya sa naturang isyu, at sa halip ay patuloy silang maging bukas-palad at masigasig na maging katuwang ng pamahalaan sa pagpapaabot ng tulong sa mga pamilyang Pilipino, kasama na ang lahat ng frontliners na haharap sa malaking hamong dala ng patuloy na pagkalat ng kinatatakutang virus.

“We cannot thank you enough for all that you have donated – from PPE for our frontliners to basic necessities and financial aid for those affected by the prolonged lockdown. May we continue to count on all of you until this pandemic is over,” mariing pahayag ng mambabatas.

Nagpaalala naman si House Committee on Constitutional Amendments Chairman at AKO-Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. na sa ilalim ng Republic Act no. 11525 o ang COVID-19

Vaccination Law, ay walang probisyon na tumutukoy kung anong pribadong kumpanya ang kuwalipikado o hindi maaaring mapabilang sa tripartite vaccine procurement program.

“The law says that all private companies, including cigarette firms, are allowed to purchase COVID-19 vaccines provided they enter into tripartite agreements with the national government and the

manufacturers,” tahasang sabi pa ng House panel head kung saan pinasalamatan naman niya ang ginawang pagtatama ng DOH sa maling draft order na binuo nito.

Sa panig ni Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles, nagpasalamat din ito sa pagbawi ng Health department sa kontrobersyal na panukala kontra  sa nabanggit na hanay ng local manufacturers.

“These businesses are legitimate and do not deserve this kind of treatment from the DOH. Anyone and anybody who is willing to help in the government’s mass vaccination program must be welcomed and appreciated by the government,” huling pahayag ng party-list lawmaker. (CESAR BARQUILLA)