DEPARTMENT of Interior and Local Government undersecretary for barangay affairs Martin Diño urged on Sunday, January 16, 2022, unvaccinated village officials to step down from their posts or take a leave of absence while there is still a coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Diño said barangay officials, particularly captains, who have yet to get Covid-19 vaccination, if there are any, are not setting a good example to their constituents.
“Kung talagang hindi pa bakunado, pwede naman kayo mag-resign o mag-leave kayo habang hindi pa tapos ang Covid-19 pandemic. Nakakahiya kayo. Biruin n’yo, kayo nagpapatupad ng batas tapos kayo pala ang hindi bakunado,” he said in a radio interview.
(“If you really haven't been vaccinated, you can resign or leave while the Covid-19 pandemic is not over. You are embarrassing. Just imagine, you are enforcing the law and then you are not vaccinated.)
Diño reiterated that there is no exemption to the rules and even barangay officials may get arrested if they do not follow restrictions being imposed to those who refuse to get Covid-19 inoculation.
The DILG earlier directed localities to prepare an inventory of unvaccinated individuals in their jurisdiction amid the implementation of restrictions against them following the increase of Covid-19 cases in the country.
Several localities have earlier imposed restrictions against unvaccinated people, such as prohibiting them to go outside their homes except if they are accessing essential goods and services, as they are more at risk of getting severely or critically ill.
The Department of Transportation has implemented a no vaccination, no ride in public transportation policy in Metro Manila, which is also now being adopted by various local government units.