Vaccination Now Mandatory for the Workforce in Iloilo City

Starting December 1, Iloilo City is imposing mandatory vaccination of all workforce in public and private sectors. Mayor Jerry Treñas’ Executive Order 144 under Section 17 says that unvaccinated individuals reporting to work in public and private sectors must present a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result starting December 4. It would give the unvaccinated individuals ample time to secure their results. These individuals shall cover the RT-PCR test expenses, urging them to get their vaccine jabs. [1]

The workforce in public transportation offices, maritime, and aviation workers are required to get vaccinated so that these sectors can continue with their operations. More so, public and private establishments may disallow entry or refuse to give service to unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals, given that they are eligible for vaccination. These establishments can implement such, even if it is not required under the guidelines on implementing the new alert level systems. On the other hand, frontline and emergency services are continuous in giving services, whatever the vaccination status of a person is.

Government agencies have decided to be on the same page on implementing measures prioritizing individuals who have been fully vaccinated, especially regarding various government services and programs.

Meanwhile, most workers in other establishments in Iloilo City are already fully vaccinated, aided by the Department of Labor and Employment – Region 6, and of course, the Iloilo City government. According to COVID Team Spokesperson Jeck Conlu, an estimate of 80% of the workforce in Iloilo City are already vaccinated. [2]

But on the other hand, it is duly noted by the President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry or PCCI in Iloilo City that their management is not imposing mandatory vaccination among their employees. Still, they are vital in encouraging their workers to get vaccinated for collective safety and protection. [3]

Atty. Sixto Rodriguez Jr., Officer-in-Charge Director of DOLE 6 said that no employee has the right to discriminate against an unvaccinated fellow employee, given that there is also no law mandating a no vaccination, no work policy. However, all unvaccinated workers are to secure their RT-PCR test results regularly to continue with their jobs. Rodriguez also added that it is up to the respective companies or the establishment’s management to set their policies.

Recently, business leaders in the Visayas are uniting supporting future proposals for mandatory vaccination since they believe that this would be for the good of all. This matter is one of the things that the business sector will not object to. [4]

President Rodrigo Duterte favors the said mandatory vaccination given that the country’s COVID19 task force has started to implement such. [5] He also said that the government could use its power to encourage and further require the Filipinos to get vaccinated

President of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry Felix Taguiam recently told a news source that the country could not impose another lockdown anymore; with that being said, the business sector cannot afford another temporary closure.

Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more travel and COVID-19 updates and guidelines in Boracay and Iloilo!