The Department of the Interior and Local Government Cordillera is stepping up its efforts to prevent the sale of Covid-19 vaccines and vaccination slots.
“It has come to our attention that there are unscrupulous individuals/groups initiating schemes to sell Covid-19 vaccines for profit, while others promise to provide vaccination slots or schedules in exchange for valuable consideration,” said DILG OIC Regional Director Araceli San Jose.
She said these individuals are taking advantage of the people’s desire to get vaccinated as early as possible.
“We urge our local government units to enact ordinances providing penalties for those who sell Covid-19 vaccines owned or donated to the government,” she said.
San Jose added penalties may also be meted against those who provide or promise to provide vaccination slots or schedules in exchange for valuable consideration.
She also urged local chief executives to institute a mechanism through which the public may report individuals or entities engaged in vaccine-for-sale schemes.
“The Covid-19 vaccines being administered by the government are free, thus slots or schedules are accessible to all those who belong to the eligible population without cost and should only acquire doses of vaccines from legitimate sources,” she said.
In the Cordillera, the DILG is stepping up its advocacy against such schemes despite the fact there have been no reported cases, but has warned perpetrators they will be punished accordingly.
The Philippine National Police is reminded to work closely with their respective LGUs to act immediately and appropriately on reports of said schemes obtained from the LGUs or the public and ensure that perpetrators of vaccine-for-sale schemes are punished to the full extent of the law. – Press release
April 30, 2024
