President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has announced recently that vaccine for the Novel Corona Virus 2019 will soon be available for Filipinos and the first to receive it are those who belong to the poorest sector particularly the members of DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

During his public address, President Duterte reiterated that his administration will ensure that the poorest of the poor will be prioritized along with the security forces once the vaccine arrives, the earliest on April 2021.

“Ang mauna sa bakuna..ay yung mga taong nasa listahan ng gobyerno na tumatanggap ng Pantawid. Ito yung mga mahirap.. (The first to receive the vaccine are those who are in the government’s 4Ps list.. They are the poor ones),” says Pres. Duterte.

The Chief Executive added that the vaccine will be free for poor Filipinos.

However, as much as the government wants all Filipinos to get the vaccine for free, due to limited resources, there will be prioritization in its distribution. And some may have to pay for the vaccine, especially those who can afford to pay for it.

Danny, a 4Ps beneficiary from Zamboanga City who recovered from Covid-19, expressed elation towards this good news.

“Wala may kinsa gusto maka-covid pero kung matakdan ta mga pobre, at least matabangan ta sa gobyerno kung naa nay vaccine (Nobody wants to acquire the virus but in case we get infected, at least the government will be able to help us once the vaccine is in),” Danny said.

The DSWD is yet to receive the policy governing this. The Department will be making the necessary preparations as soon as the guidelines are in place and the vaccine has been cleared for public use by the authorized agencies. 

Meanwhile, DSWD calls on 4Ps beneficiaries to wait for further announcement through its official social media platforms.

4Ps is the national poverty reduction strategy of the national government with DSWD as the lead agency. It invests in the health, nutrition, and education of poor households for an improved well-being.  It is implemented nationwide with more than 4 million household beneficiaries. ###