Eligible employees in the public and private sector will be required to get vaccinated starting December 1, according to Malacañang on Friday, in a bid to further increase the country's vaccination rate.
The mandate covers "on-site" workers who reside in cities where there is enough vaccine supply, said presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in a media briefing.
Eligible employees in the public transportation industry are also covered by the mandate, according to Roque, in order to help the sector continue its operations.
For those who will refuse the jabs, the spokesperson said they will not be terminated from their jobs, but they will be asked to undergo regular COVID-19 testing.
"Sa mga eligible employees na hindi bakunado, maaaring hindi sila matanggal sa trabaho," he said. "Pero kailangan nilang mag-undergo ng regular RT-PCR test or antigen test at their own expense."
(To eligible employees who are not vaccinated, they will not be terminated from their jobs. However, they need to undergo regular RT-PCR tests or antigen tests at their own expense.)
Roque also told employers that they should not mark their staff absent when they are scheduled to get vaccinated during work hours.
"Basta magpakita lamang ng proof ng confirmed vaccination schedule," said the spokesperson.
(Just present proof of confirmed vaccination schedule.)
Malacañang is also encouraging local government units to provide "incentives" for fully vaccinated individuals.
"Para lalo pang mapataas ang pagbabakuna, hinihinkayat ang mga lokal na pamahalaan na maglabas ng mga kautusan o mga ordinansa na magbibigay incentives para sa mga fully vaccinated individuals," Roque said.
(In order to further hike vaccinations, local government units are encouraged to release ordinances that will give incentives to fully vaccinated individuals.)
Meanwhile, the official said public and private establishments may also refuse entry or provide services to individuals who are not yet or may only be partially vaccinated despite being eligible to receive the jabs.
"Hindi kasama rito ng mga frontline at emergency services na tuloy-tuloy ang assistance sa lahat, regardless of vaccination status," clarified Roque.
(This does not include frontline and emergency services who are continuously providing assistance to all, regardless of vaccination status.)
Business establishments may also require proof of vaccinations before allowing individuals or entities to qualify for some of their activities, he added.
Exemptions can be made on some grounds, according to Roque, but it will also need clearances to provide sufficiency.
"Tanging medical clearance na galing sa government health office or birth certificate ang magsisilbing sufficient at valid proof of ineligibility for vaccination," he said.
(Only a medical certificate from a government health office or birth certificates are sufficient and valid proof of ineligibility for vaccination.)
