2021 National Human Rights Situation Report
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the location of vaccination centers. Some LGUs implemented barangay-level information
dissemination campaigns alongside COVID-19 vaccine registration.101
118
The Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) directive, following the
recommendation of the DOH, to not announce the brand of vaccines to be used for
inoculation beforehand has implications on the access to information. DILG Secretary
Eduardo Año however emphasized that, “the individual’s right to information is fully
respected but they are just taking this move in order to prevent a repeat of mass gatherings
and long lines that occurred when brands are announced beforehand.”102
119
CHR V, however, reminds LGUs to ensure the accuracy and relevance of promotional
materials, given the spread of fake news and misinformation in social media. Just before the
6 to 20 August 2021 lockdown or enhanced community quarantine, thousands of Filipinos
crowded vaccination sites due to various factors such as: the “fake news outbreak” that
unvaccinated persons would not be given cash aid, President Duterte’s pronouncement that
the “unvaccinated would not be allowed to go out”, and that some employers implemented
a “no jab, no work” policy; which the Department of Labor and Employment has clarified
to be illegal.103
Mental Health
120
The CHR expressed concern that the portrayal of mental health illness in the “Tililing”
movie poster is stereotypical and discriminatory. Many Filipinos already struggle in seeking
help due to the stigma surrounding mental health. The public should be more sensitive in
addressing such issues, especially in mass media.104
121
In a news article published by ABS CBN News on 19 May 2021, Frances Prescilla Cuevas,
chief health program officer of the DOH’s Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, said
that at least 3.6 million Filipinos are battling mental health issues in the midst of the
COVID-19 pandemic. About 1.14 million Filipinos have depression, 847,000 are battling
alcohol-use disorders, and 520,000 were diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Cuevas said that
the figures are an understatement because it only tackles a few of the conditions.105
122
The ABS-CBN News reported on 25 June 2021 that the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation (PhilHealth) plans to include mental health services in its primary care
package. Shirley Domingo, PhilHealth Vice President for Corporate Affairs, said
PhilHealth is working with the DOH for mental health to be included in the Konsulta
101
HUMAN RIGHTS CENTERS MANAGEMENT OFFICE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS
CENTER. (2021). Vaccination for All: Monitoring of the January to June 2021 COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout.
Commission on Human Rights.
102
HUMAN RIGHTS CENTERS MANAGEMENT OFFICE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS
CENTER. (2021). Vaccination for All: Monitoring of the January to June 2021 COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout.
Commission on Human Rights.
103
HUMAN RIGHTS CENTERS MANAGEMENT OFFICE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS
CENTER. (2021). Vaccination for All: Monitoring of the January to June 2021 COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout.
Commission on Human Rights.
104
Mercado, N. A. (2021). ‘Stereotypical, discriminating’: CHR slams ‘Tililing’ movie poster. Retrieved fromhttps://
newsinfo.inquirer.net/1395658/stereotypical-discriminating-chr-slams-tililing-movie-poster
105
Domingo, K. (2021). At least 3.6 million Filipinos battling mental health issues amid pandemic: DOH. Retrieved
from https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/05/19/21/at-least-36-million-filipinos-battling-mental-health-issues-amidpandemic-doh