Secretary Francisco Duque III (FILE PHOTO)

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III yesterday said local government “No Vaccine, No Entry” policy is prohibited under the law.

Duque made the remark during congressional budget hearing, after of the members of the House of Representatives asked the Duque if the government implement such policy.

“Hindi pupwede ‘yan na pinagbabawalan ang mamamayan ng isang lokalidad na makapasok hanggang siya ay bakunado,” Duque said.

Masbate 1st District Representative Narciso Bravo Jr., who brought up such concerns during the budget briefing, said such policies could be considered “discriminatory.”

“Hindi naman mandatory ‘yung vaccination natin sa ngayon. So ‘yung non-vaccinated at vaccinated pwede naman silang gumalaw, pareho naman silang may karapatang gumalaw under certain quarantine classifications,” Bravo said.

More than 250 passengers were stuck in a Pio Duran port in Albay after the province of Masbate restricted entry to people who were still unvaccinated for COVID-19.

Executive Order No. 26, issued by Masbate Gov. Antonio Kho on Aug. 18, states that no one is allowed entry into the province through its ports unless they present proof of “full vaccination at least 15 days before the said entry.”

“Ako, personally, I object to this [no vaccine, no entry policy]. I believe this is discriminatory and, in fact, sumulat na ako sa regional director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government to take action on this particular EO,” he added.

Duque said that while those who were already vaccinated can still contract the disease, they are protected against severe and critical cases of COVID-19.