NO vaccination sites will be put up in polling precincts as this is not the right venue for voters.
Thus, said Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commission George Garcia as he opposed the idea of having vaccination sites in precincts. This also may raise confusion among voters.
Garcia explained that while his office has not yet received any recommendation letter from the Department of Health (DOH) to put up vaccination centers for voters during the May 9 elections, he said he would not approve such because it is “not the proper time” to do so.
“Ako po personally, as a member of the Commission, mukhang hindi po yata tama, sa aking palagay. With all due respect sa DOH, siyempre po we have to focus sa elections muna. We have to allow our voters to vote first. ‘Wag na muna natin isabay sa pagboto,” he said.
He also pointed out that vaccination sites in polling precincts may also give the voters the wrong impression that they need to get vaccinated first before they may be able to cast their votes.
“Baka sabihin ng mga botante na requirement pala ang pagbabakuna eh baka matakot ‘yung iba na pumunta lalo na ‘yung unvaccinated dahil sa kanilang paniniwala kung personal man o religious o whatever,” he added.
Despite stressing that he is not against vaccination, Garcia argued that May 9 should only be for the elections and polling centers are fully-controlled by the Comelec, thus whatever will happen there will be within their jurisdiction.
Further asked if he will also suggest for the government to suspend the national COVID-19 vaccination on the May 9 elections to allow the public to vote, he said, “Yes. Siguro naman hindi malaking kawalan din kung isang araw na lang ‘yun ay ma-reserve na natin sa pagboto ng mga kababayan natin.”
metrosundaily
