Malacañang on Friday attributed to the country’s economic rebound as to why it did not declare the three-day National Vaccination Days as holidays.
"The reason why hindi po siya holiday, of course number one, kailangan nating paandarin ang ating ekonomiya lalong-lalo na sa panahon ngayon," said acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles in a press briefing.
(The reason why they are not declared a holiday, of course number one, we need to keep the economy flowing especially during these times.)
According to Nograles, with COVID-19 cases down, this is the country's chance to "rebound the economy."
"That being said, kailangan natin na magtrabaho at ie-exempt lang dun yung hindi pa bakunado at kailangang magpabakuna during those three national vaccination days," he said.
(That being said, we need to work and those exempted are the ones who are unvaccinated and will get the jabs during those three national vaccination days.)
This comes after initial considerations to make the three-day vaccines drive, particularly November 29 and December 1, as holidays to further encourage participation. November 30, or Bonifacio Day, is already a regular non-working holiday.
On Thursday, Senator Joel Villanueva urged the government, particularly the Department of Labor and Employment and the Civil Service Commission, to formulate clear guidelines for employees getting the jabs on the three-day vaccination drive.
According to Villanueva, employees should be informed that time spent getting the jabs is still tantamount to a paid vaccination leave if the government wants a high turnout on the drive.
"Sabihin po natin sa lahat ng empleyado na ang 'no work, no pay' ay hindi in effect kung ikaw ay magpapabakuna anumang araw mula Nobyembre 29 hanggang Disyembre 1," he said.
(We need to tell employees that the ‘no work, no pay’ will not be in effect if they are getting vaccinated any day between November 29 and December 1.)
The government said in its declaration that proof of vaccinations can be presented to employers so they will not be marked absent while they get vaccinated during the drive.
