Green groups hit jab facility

MANILA, Philippines — Environmental groups and civil society organizations yesterday opposed the planned mega vaccine center at the Nayong Pilipino complex in Parañaque City.

“The proposed mega vaccination center will deepen vaccine inequality. It will marginalize people and groups who have limited access and mobility options to reach the centralized site,” the organizations said in a joint statement.

Those who rejected the proposed mega-vaccine site were Greenpeace Southeast Asia-Philippines, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives-Philippines, Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability, Mother Earth Foundation, Oceana Philippines International, Living Laudato Si’ Philippines, Linghod, Youth for Climate Hope, Mangrove Matters PH, Balud, Young Leaders for Environmental Action Federation, Coal-Free Bataan Movement, Nuclear-Free Bataan Movement, Young Bataenos Environmental Advocates Network, National Society of Parliamentarians, Kuryente.org, Alyansa ng Bagong Nayon Natin, Green Party of the Philippines, Aksyon Kalikasan, Sigaw ng Kabataan Coalition, ASEAN Youth Organization Philippines, Rotary Club of Alabang Madrigal Business Park, Anahaw Laguna, Earth-UST, Ecowaste Coalition, Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia, Move As One Coalition, AltMobility, Renacimiento Manila, Zero Waste Youth Pilipinas and Zero Waste Youth Negros Oriental.

They said the facility is proposed in an area that has been earmarked as a park and necessitates the cutting of 500 trees.

“We urge President Duterte, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the Department of Tourism and Enrique Razon to stop this ill-advised plan and instead focus on long-term and people-centered solutions to the health crisis,” they said.

The groups said the government should strengthen and recognize the role of local government and communities in shortening the chain by creating and improving local vaccination facilities.

Local government units “such as San Juan City and Pasig have shown success in utilizing idled sports facilities as vaccination sites,” they said.