Assuming agad! Wes Gatchalian: Premature for WHO to say tobacco firms will use COVID-19 vaccines for promotion

By Billy Begas

Deputy Speaker and Valenzuela Rep. Wes Gatchalian on Thursday said that the claim of the World Health Organization (WHO) that tobacco and infant formula manufacturers will use the COVID-19 vaccines for promotion is premature.

Gatchalian pointed out that under the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act (Republic Act 11525) the vaccines to be procured by private companies will be for their exclusive use.

“At this time when we have to win against a pandemic that has caused numerous lives and continues to negatively impact the ability of the Filipino people to work, to go to school, to see their families, we need to unite and make sure no one is left behind and discriminated upon,” said Gatchalian.

Earlier, World Health Organization (WHO) representative to the Philippines Rabindra Abeyasinghe said the proposed exclusion of tobacco and infant formula companies was due to the concern that the vaccines they would be procuring and distributing could be used as advocacy for their products.

“It is in their best interest to protect their employees. Napakababa naman ng tingin ng WHO sa mga kompanyang ito. They are even donating 50% to the government so they should even be commended,” said Gatchalian.

He also pointed out that given the scarcity of the vaccines, a more reasonable and realistic assumption is that these companies will prioritize their employees and the families of their employees.

“And by doing so, they are lessening the burden of the national government by not requesting for allocation,” he added.

Gatchalian also appealed to WHO and similar groups to set aside certain assumptions against certain companies and help the nation in ensuring that “no one is left behind”.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)