Guevarra to PAO Chief Acosta: Follow rules on unvaxxed gov’t workers

FILE PHOTO: PAO chief Dr. Persida Rueda Acosta. CATHY MIRANDA / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday said he has already advised Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta to comply with existing government regulations related to unvaccinated personnel.

Acosta earlier admitted that she is unvaccinated against the coronavirus, citing health considerations.

She added that she also prefers to wait for a protein-based vaccine. According to the World Health Organization, a protein-based vaccine uses harmless fragments of proteins or protein shells that mimic the COVID-19 virus to safely generate an immune response.

“I already advised PAO Chief Acosta to comply with existing government regulations regarding onsite work as it relates to unvaccinated personnel, and to ensure a COVID-safe working environment in her agency without sacrificing efficiency,” Guevarra told reporters.

Under the rules of the government’s pandemic task force, personnel reporting for onsite work should be vaccinated. But if an unvaccinated personnel should report physically in the office, Guevarra said he/she must at least undergo RT-PCR or antigen testing every two weeks.

Previously, Acosta appealed to local government units not to discriminate against the unvaccinated.

RELATED STORIES

‘Sampal sa gobyerno:’ Drilon wants unvaxxed PAO chief barred from working

Unvaccinated has rights but also has limits – DOJ

PAO chief appeals to LGUs: Don’t discriminate the unvaccinated

DOTr reiterates: Essential workers exempt from ‘no vax, no ride’ policy

KGA