In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

Duterte ‘order’ not to blame for overcrowding in vax sites

By Azer Parrocha

August 9, 2021, 3:57 pm

<p><em>(File photo)</em></p>

(File photo)

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte should not be blamed over people swarming in some Covid-19 vaccination sites in Metro Manila last week, Malacañang said on Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque denied anew criticism that Duterte’s order to police and barangay officials to escort unvaccinated individuals back to their homes caused an unexpected number of people to show up at vaccination centers.

He said if Duterte’s directive was really to blame for overcrowding in vaccination sites, then people should have flocked to the sites much earlier.

Since Duterte made his threat to keep unvaccinated people in their homes on July 28, Roque said it is "unlikely" that it drove people to flock to vaccination sites on Aug. 5.

Nangyari po ang pagdumog ng mga tao sa ilang vaccination sites sa Metro Manila at Region 4-A nung madaling araw ng umaga ng Huwebes, Aug. 5. At kailan po huli nagsalita ang Presidente tungkol sa bagay na ito? July 28 pa po (People started flocking to vaccination sites in Metro Manila and Region 4-A early Thursday morning, Aug. 5. When did the President last talk about this matter? July 28,” he said in a Palace press briefing.

Roque said Duterte need not make any adjustments when releasing statements, insisting that he is the “best communicator” in the country.

“Wala pong pagkakamali ang Presidente sa kanyang pananalita at kung paniniwalaan natin ang mga surveys (The President made no mistake with his directive and if we look at surveys), the President remains to be the best communicator and the best positive communicator in the country today,” he added.

He floated anew the possibility of critics and detractors trying to “sabotage” the national government’s Covid-19 vaccination drive.

Roque also reminded local government unit (LGU) officials of their obligation to ensure an orderly Covid-19 vaccination process.

“Yung mga lokal na pamahalaan, huwag naman kayo magbabaling ng pula sa ating Presidente dahil the bottom line is, katungkulan niyo pa rin na kayo ang magpatupad ng maayos at makataong magbabakunahan (To local governments, do not pin the blame on the President because the bottom line is, it is still your duty to implement an orderly and humane vaccination),” he said.

Reports showed that an unexpected number of people swarmed in vaccination centers in Manila and Las Piñas last Thursday.

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), vaccine turnout in Manila was as high as 22,000 from the usual daily numbers of 1,000 to 2,000 per vaccination site. (PNA)

Comments