“Actually, we are discussing and we’re geared towards including vaccination in the eligibility of athletes,” said Management Committee member Peter Cayco of Arellano on Tuesday’s online Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.

“We’re discussing [it] right now and we’re geared towards including vaccination in the eligibility requirements of the athletes.”

However, Fr. Vic Calvo, O.P. of host Letran affirmed that the said proposed rule was not final as the health of the players is going to be the main concern.

“We’ve had several discussions about [mandatory vaccination]. We have to respect the freedom of an individual, but we’re also asking our lawyers,” he explained.

Still, the league’s officials stressed that the health and safety of every participant in the NCAA are under their shoulders in which Calvo said that “Kaya pinu-push namin yung vaccination information campaign para yung hesitancy ng mga players [mabawasan].”

“We recognize the right of the students to choose if they do not want to be vaccinated, but we also have to consider those who want to be vaccinated,” added Cayco.

Moreover, Calvo pinpointed that the rules with regards to age, enrolment, and grades will still be relaxed as to what has been decided last year in June.