Senator Christopher “Bong” Go took a stand against the “no vaccine,no subsidy” proposal by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), stating that it is unjust and vaccination should not be forced amongst citizens.

“Unfair po yun, unfair sabi ko ng walang pilitan. Kung sino ang kusa, bigyan natin ng insentibo,” Go said in an ambush interview in Antipolo City following the distribution of assistance to the city’s residents. 

Go suggested that the government should continue to encourage the public to get vaccinated by explaining its benefits, as well as providing further incentives, instead of imposing the “no vaccine, no subsidy” rule to coerce them to do so.

“Kawawa naman ang Pilipino. Nandiyan pa rin ang takot. ‘Di mo maiwasan. Karapatan po ng sambayanang Pilipino kung ayaw nilang magpabakuna,” Go added, saying that every individual carries the right to refuse getting vaccinated as well as doing so voluntarily.

In addition to this, Bong Go implies that President Duterte is likely to turn down the proposal. “I can’t speak on behalf of the President pero, most likely, ganun din ang magiging stand n’ya. Pareho stand namin sa mahihirap,” Go stated.

The “no vaccination, no subsidy” was proposed by an official from the DILG, to withhold the cash subsidy of the beneficiaries of the government’s conditional cash transfer program or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) who are unvaccinated against COVID-19.