‘No ayuda, no bakuna’ fake news
METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the spread of fake news and misinformation that those who have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) shall not be given “ayuda” and/or benefits.
Abalos said news circulating regarding the distribution of ayuda at the National Capital Region particularly reports that only those who have been vaccinated shall be entitled to ayuda are “fake and baseless.”
“To set the record straight, the distribution of ayuda and/or benefits or privileges is not anchored on whether an individual has been inoculated or not,” said Atty. Abalos.
Abalos, in a letter sent to NBI Officer-in-Charge Eric Distor, asked the NBI to probe who the sources of fake news are and hold the purveyors accountable.
“I am requesting your Bureau to initiate the investigation of the said fake news in order for those persons responsible therefore to be held accountable in causing unruliness at the vaccination sites and thereafter to file the necessary charges against them,” said Abalos, in his letter.
Abalos also clarified that the ayuda or cash aid from the government amounting to P1,000 to P4,000 will be given to low-income residents – regardless if they are vaccinated or not.
As this developed, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said there is no truth whatsoever to the ‘no ayuda, no bakuna’ rumor.
The Ayuda 2 approved by the President is for low-income individuals and families in the National Capital Region (NCR) regardless of vaccination status. The guidelines are now being finalized for the immediate release of the funds following the same system implemented during Ayuda 1 last April.
Moreover, the DILG wishes to reiterate that the vaccination program in all local government units (LGUs) will continue during the 2-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period and some 4M additional vaccines will be made available as supplies continue to pour in. In fact, we will utilize the 2-week lockdown to ramp up vaccination in Metro Manila in cooperation with the LGUs in order for us to reach population protection this year.
Therefore, all individuals scheduled for vaccination will be considered Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APORs) and will be allowed to pass by our checkpoints upon presentation of vaccination schedule, said Malaya. With JUN I. LEGASPI
